OMAHA , NE – The Scoular Company has announced its plan to break ground in the spring of 2004 at its facility in Alpena, South Dakota, improving and expanding the facility to load shuttle trains of grain and oilseeds. Scoular has operated the Alpena facility since 1999 when the company purchased it from Stan Kopfmann.

Once completed, the facility will be capable of loading grain at a rate of 50,000 bushels per hour, filling 110 railcars in less than 15 hours. Improvements also will increase the facility’s truck unload rate by 20,000 bushels per hour and create 425,000 bushels of additional bin space.

According to Mark Mossman, Director of Scoular’s Producer Markets Division, the new capacity in Alpena "will create additional market opportunities for Alpena grain while providing another shuttle origin for our destination customers. In today’s market, shuttle-loading capability is essential. We are pleased to continue to invest in the community of Alpena and the surrounding area and to improve our ability to serve our customers."

The Company’s CEO, Randal Linville, cites the Alpena expansion as a part of Scoular’s strategy to strengthen its position in promising markets with investment in facilities. "Our company is committed to owning and operating up-to-date facilities that serve strong markets," said Linville. Scoular will integrate the improved Alpena facility into its existing network of grain elevators and shuttle facilities served by the BNSF Railroad.

Scoular anticipates that facility improvements will be substantially completed by early to mid-summer 2004.

Scoular also announces the promotion of Jeff Bhend to Merchandising Manager for the Alpena facility. Bhend transferred from Scoular’s Omaha office to join Kelly Raasch, Operations Manager, and Andrew Arhart, Merchandiser.