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Question earns farmer $10,000 Westeel bin package
Winner of Secan Seed For Thought Contest to be awarded at Farm Progress
Sometimes asking a question gets you more than just a good answer; sometimes it can also earn you a chance to win a $10,000 bin package from Westeel – this year's prize in the Secan Seed For Thought Contest co-sponsored by Westeel and BASF. Promoted through Secan's Seed Guides and radio stations across Western Canada, the contest asked farmers to submit questions on crop production or grain storage, to be answered by industry experts on-air. All farmers who submitted a question were entered in the contest. As in past years, the contest proved once again very popular, with questions submitted from across Western Canada .
The prize will be awarded to the contest winner at 1:00 pm, June 16, at Westeel's display at Regina 's Western Canada Farm Progress Show. This year marks Westeel's 100th Anniversary, and Westeel's display at the show will feature many special exhibits and activities in celebration of this important milestone. All are invited to visit the Westeel display, to find out more about Westeel, and the important role it has played in agriculture (and other industries) over its long history.
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Westeel reaches century mark
Company famous for its long-lived grain bins turns 100 In an industry that has seen much change, it is rare to find an agricultural company that is 50 years old, let alone 100. But this remarkable milestone is exactly what Westeel Limited has achieved, making Westeel one of the oldest agricultural companies in Canada .
“Reaching 100 years is an achievement that we take great pride in,” said Bob Skull, President of Westeel. “It is an accomplishment that reflects well on the many men and women who have worked for this company through the years, as it has been their contributions in creating products that our customers can depend on that has made this possible.”
Westeel, now a subsidiary of Vicwest Corporation in Oakville , Ontario , first started as the Winnipeg Ceiling and Roofing Company in 1905. Back then the company produced a wide range of innovative steel products including ornate ceiling plates, fire doors, and attractive window and door frames. At the time many of these products were at the leading edge of metals forming technology and the company became the supplier of choice for such notable projects as the Manitoba Legislative Building , Banff Springs Hotel and Toronto 's Maple Leaf Gardens .
During the Second World War, Westeel manufactured materials for Canada 's armed forces including aircraft wings, gun tractor bodies, depth charge cases and bomb tails. However, most significant of the many products produced by Westeel during its early years was the steel-sided grain bin – a product that Westeel helped pioneer within North America . The steel-sided grain bin would have a significant impact for the family farm, allowing farmers to now store their harvested crops for longer periods and attain the best price possible for their commodities.
The post war years were a period of tremendous growth for Westeel as the company's metal products were widely used in commercial construction projects across Canada . As a result, these years saw a dramatic increase in Westeel's production capabilities as it acquired or merged with a number of manufacturing companies in Western Canada , the most notable of which was its merger with Rosco Metal Products in 1964.
This merger changed the company's name to Westeel-Rosco and ushered in the famous “yellow-top” Westeel-Rosco grain bin, which would become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Canadian prairies. The merger also marked an important change in the company's direction as its primary focus became the production of storage products for agricultural and industrial applications.
“Today, Westeel grain bins are not only a common sight across the Canadian prairies, they can be found in many parts of the world including Europe, the United Kingdom, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, Russia and the Middle East,” said Skull. “To date, we have sold over 500,000 bins worldwide, a truly remarkable number that makes Westeel one of the largest producers of this type of product around the globe.” Westeel's product line-up includes bins for the storage of grain, fertilizer and seed for both on-farm and commercial applications, environmental containment systems, and petroleum storage tanks for both upstream exploration and downstream marketing activities.
“The first 100 years have been a long and exciting period for Westeel,” said Skull. “While the company has changed its focus a number of times, one constant has been present through it all - the commitment of our people to produce high quality, innovative and technologically advanced products that represent the very best available in their class. That commitment, along with the dedication of our dealer networks and the loyalty of our customers, has made this 100 year milestone possible.”
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