Viterra acquires grain elevator; eyes rail car expansion

The upgrade at Carnduff involves the expansion of its railcar capacity to 112 cars from 56 and 7,000 tonnes of storage capacity will be added, for a total of 33,000 tonnes. Construction is expected to begin this fall and slated for completion in fall 2010.

Viterra's transaction to acquire the grain elevator closed Friday (Jul 24). Along with Viterra's existing facility in the area, the acquisition increases total storage capacity to more than 14,000 tonnes and will allow the company to load up to 56 rail cars.

"These infrastructure investments are the latest in a series of improvements aimed at increasing our level of customer service and driving further efficiencies in our grain handling system," said Bob Miller, Senior Vice-President, Grain, North America.

Last year, Viterra completed similar railcar capacity improvements at its high throughput elevators at Grenfell, Saskatchewan and Grassy Lake, Alberta. Additionally, the Company began construction last fall of a new terminal at Sexsmith, Alberta in the Peace River region and is expanding railcar capacity at its elevator in Provost, Alberta.

Viterra Inc. is Canada's leading agribusiness, with extensive operations and distribution capabilities across Western Canada, and with operations in the US, Japan, Singapore and Geneva.