Have questions, feedback, or thoughts on the show? We want to hear from you! Click on this link to send us a text message.

Across the grain industry, facility leaders are navigating a level of uncertainty we haven’t seen in years. Volatile commodity markets. Weather extremes. Labor shortages. Tighter margins. Rising expectations around safety, uptime, and quality.

In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz sits down with Matt Koch, Chief Marketing Officer at Sukup Manufacturing Co., to explore what it really takes to operate a modern grain facility in today’s unpredictable environment.

From macro market pressures and geopolitical shifts to storage strategy, grain conditioning risk, and practical automation, this conversation moves beyond equipment to systems thinking. Matt shares a global perspective from working with producers, commercial elevators, terminals, and processors across more than 100 countries.

The takeaway? Long-term success isn’t just about buying low and selling high. It’s about reducing loss, designing resilient systems, and operating dependably—year after year.

• Why many operators are shifting from short-term optimization to 3–7 year strategic planning
• How global trade, energy markets, and geopolitics are shaping grain infrastructure decisions
• Why storage is becoming a strategic lever—not just capacity
• The hidden risks of large-bin consolidation and long-term storage
• How under-designed aeration systems quietly erode margins
• Why CO₂ monitoring often detects grain issues before temperature spikes
• What meaningful automation actually looks like in commercial facilities
• How modular OEM automation systems can improve safety and consistency
• Why preventing loss often matters more than market timing

Storage as Strategy

Well-designed storage allows operators to create market flexibility, improve throughput, standardize multi-site operations, and reduce management complexity. Scale has changed the game—and infrastructure must evolve with it.

Grain Conditioning Risk

As bins grow larger, risk grows with them. Consolidated storage requires tighter monitoring. CO₂ levels, moisture control, proper fan management, and active oversight are critical to protecting grain value over long-term storage cycles.

Automation for Real-World Operations

Automation isn’t about flashy control rooms. It’s about preventing operator error at 2:00 a.m., improving safety, supporting lean teams, and ensuring consistent procedures across facilities.

Loss Prevention Over Speculation

While commodity markets drive headlines, operational discipline drives profitability. Reducing spoilage, minimizing downtime, and designing dependable systems may be the most powerful competitive advantage.

Learn more at:
www.sukup.com

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

Have questions, feedback, or thoughts on the show? We want to hear from you! Click on this link to send us a text message.

GEAPS Exchange 2026: What to Expect — and How to Get the Most Value

Every year, there’s one time when the global grain community gathers in one place to learn, connect, and solve real-world challenges together. In this special episode, Jim Lenz is joined by Bob Horvat, current GEAPS Board President, to spotlight GEAPS Exchange 2026—the premier event in the grain and grain processing industries.

Bob shares why Exchange exists, why it still matters, and how both first-time and returning attendees can get maximum value—from education and Innovation Stations to the Expo Hall, special events, and the relationships that continue long after the show ends.

With 319,950 square feet of Expo Hall, 400+ exhibitors, Innovation Stations, and 45+ hours of education across five tracks (Processing, Maintenance, Grain Operations, Safety, and Employee Development/Leadership), Exchange is designed to bring practical learning and problem-solving to every role in the industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why GEAPS Exchange exists—and how it supports the GEAPS mission to champion, connect, and serve the global grain industry
• The value of Exchange for operations, maintenance, safety, processing, and leadership roles
• What “real-world education” looks like at Exchange (sessions, demonstrations, and interactive learning)
• How to approach the Expo Hall like a pro—especially with 400+ exhibitors
• The community-building events that make Exchange feel like your extended grain industry family
• Who should attend (hint: everyone) and how to plan for maximum return on time and investment
• Key event details, pricing context, and practical tips to attend with your team

Highlights discussed

• Education formats: classroom sessions, Innovation Stations demos, and interactive learning (including safety-focused experiences)
• Five education tracks: Processing, Maintenance, Grain Operations, Safety, Employee Development (Leadership)
• Networking & special events: First-Timer/International events, Get Acquainted Party, Welcome Reception, Fun Run/Walk, Cornhole Tournament, Grain Merchandisers Networking Event, and Music Bingo
• Why Exchange energizes people and sends them home with:
  1. renewed enthusiasm,
  2. new ideas,
  3. knowledge to apply, and
  4. new connections—people to call when you need help

Key details to remember

• GEAPS Exchange 2026 Website
• February 21–24, 2026
• Kansas City Convention Center
• 400+ exhibitors
• 45+ hours of education
• Innovation Stations and live demonstrations
• One of the biggest values of Exchange: the people you meet—and the problems you solve together

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

Have questions, feedback, or thoughts on the show? We want to hear from you! Click on this link to send us a text message.

In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training at GEAPS, talks with Kyle Dixon, Vice President of Sales at IBT Industrial Solutions, about how grain facilities can do more with less—while improving reliability, uptime, and long-term value.

Kyle brings a rare perspective, having served as an IBT sales rep, regional manager, and now VP of Sales. He shares practical insights on proactive maintenance, simplifying storerooms, using technology wisely, and supporting a changing workforce. The focus is on real-world solutions grain professionals can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways (Condensed)

• Doing more with less means maximizing capability—not cutting corners
• Proactive maintenance reduces downtime and risk
• Simple changes can deliver big operational wins
• Technology works best alongside hands-on observation
• Education and supplier partnerships strengthen today’s workforce
• Suppliers can act as an extension of customer teams

Featured Partner

IBT Industrial Solutions is a GEAPS Premier Partner supporting grain operations with engineering expertise and responsive MRO solutions.

• IBT Industrial Solutions: https://www.ibtinc.com/
• IBT Grain Industry Solutions: https://www.ibtinc.com/industries/grain/

Past Whole Grain Podcast Episodes Featuring IBT Guests

• Keeping Grain Moving: Preventative Maintenance and Supplier Tips
  • https://www.geaps.com/news-publications/whole-grain-podcast/keeping-grain-moving-preventative-maintenance-and-supplier-tips/
• Everything from Conveyor Belting to Buckets with a 30-Year Grain Pro
  • https://www.geaps.com/news-publications/whole-grain-podcast/everything-from-conveyor-belting-to-buckets-with-a-30-year-grain-pro/
• Pillars of the Grain Industry
  • https://www.geaps.com/news-publications/whole-grain-podcast/pillars-of-the-grain-industry/

GEAPS Education & Events

• GEAPS Conveyor Training (Hands-On Programs):
  • https://www.geaps.com/events-meetings/conveyor-training/
• GEAPS Online Learning:
  • https://www.geaps.com/training-education/online-learning/
• GEAPS Exchange:
  • https://www.geaps.com/exchange/

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.