GROUND-UP GROWTH

With some of the tightest green waste restrictions in the world, California recycles tonnes of organic matter each day. Operating since 1990, Agromin led this region’s recycling industry and, with the support of their dealer partner Powerscreen of California, has grown into the state’s biggest provider of its kind.

To reduce the amount of organic matter sent to landfill sites, the state of California passed the Senate Bill 1383. Aiming to decrease methane emissions, the law means any materials such as food and plant waste now have to be recycled. Though this didn’t come into effect till 2022, Agromin has been dealing with waste from Californian cities and municipalities for more than 30 years.

Growing alongside demand, the company now has processing sites across the state. These sites, including one in Dos Palos, take green waste and turn it into premium soils that can be used in landscaping or agriculture. Getting the right equipment for these sites and keeping it running efficiently has been central to the business’s effective, carbon-neutral processing. This has been possible thanks to a close partnership with equipment dealer Powerscreen.

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Since Sales Manager Jason Mathieu joined Powerscreen 15 years ago, he’s worked with the Agromin team to find the exact machines they need and keep them running efficiently. From supplying grinders and screeners for hire or purchase to delivering parts and maintenance, the Powerscreen team has played a key role in the business’s statewide expansion.

This has involved going the extra mile to meet Agromin’s needs. As Jason explains, “The business took on one of the first Ecotec Phoenix 3300s ever made and it’s still in operation today. This is just one example of how we’ve equipped Agromin with the latest technology and kept it running efficiently. As well as servicing, we’ve offered equipment for purchase or hire depending on the needs of each particular facility across California.”

Thanks to Powerscreen’s expertise and reliable service, Jason has been able to build trust with the Agromin team and better support their growth. “It’s always my intention to develop long-term friendships with customers because this can prove much more valuable. The team now come to us to talk about what they’re dealing with, so we can figure out how best to assist them. This has included us helping them grow into new territories and open new facilities in Northern California.”

NEXT-LEVEL THROUGHPUT

On the Dos Palos site, the main equipment used to process organic waste are grinders and screeners. With huge amounts of material needing to be broken down, mulched and composted, the Ecotec Phoenix 3300 Trommel screener and CBI Magnum Force 6800CT Horizontal Grinder were chosen for their efficiency and high performance.

As German Cervantes, VP of Operations at Agromin, explains, these machines haven’t disappointed. He says, “The Phoenix screens can process 80 to 180 cubic yards of material and the CBI grinders have a throughput of 50 to 60 tonnes an hour. The grinders also have a metal detection option which helps us avoid catastrophic failure.”

Alongside this feature, the CBI grinders have a screening area that’s 15% larger than the previous model and wraps around more than 190 degrees. With a larger shaft and bearings, a powerful CAT engine and a durable forged drum rotor, this grinder is engineered to be the best available on the market.

The Phoenix 3300 is also specifically designed for large-scale compost production. With a heavy-duty tipping grid or double deck vibrating grid as optional features, the screener is versatile and durable enough to process the various material types that arrive on site. Its swivel fines conveyor with a 5.8m discharge can also be controlled via radio remote, giving maximum flexibility without any downtime.

As Jason explains, the machines Powerscreen has supplied are designed to set the Agromin team up for success. “The CBI grinders are new to the team, but they’ve had a good deal of success when hiring them. Plus, by having six of the same screener unit, they get better part reliability, because stocking is minimal and interchangeable.”

German agrees that their dealer partner was key to keeping Agromin sites running efficiently “Both types of machinery are easy to maintain, which the guys on-site like,” he says. “Plus we have good availability of parts through Powerscreen.”

KEEPING UP PERFORMANCE

Alongside being partners in growth, Powerscreen’s parts supply and maintenance service has helped Agromin keep up with demand across all its facilities. “We have a strong focus on uptime,” says Jason. “When there’s a failure we get technicians and parts to site as fast as possible, usually within 24 hours.”

German adds. “Powerscreen are just a phone call away. The services and parts team are always available. They go out of their way to get us up and running because they understand that their success is our success.”

By maintaining this long-term relationship, Powerscreen and Agromin have supported California’s emissions reduction and enjoyed mutual growth. As Jason explains. “Beyond the business aspect, we’ve become friends. This long-term relationship has been developed and maintained because of our support and focus on how important it is to keep them up and running.”