PETKUS WUTHA GmbH, founded in 1852, has announced its expansion into grain and seed processing equipment in the United States. The German company is the world’s largest manufacturer of grain and seed processing and related equipment, primarily supplying Europe, Asia and Africa. The new seed processing division, PETKUS Agri Engineering will be headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.

PETKUS Agri Engineering expects to play a unique role in the U.S. seed processing industry. This turnkey operation spearheaded by General Manager Jeff Elwer will be the only company in the U.S. with the capability to design, manufacture, install and service grain and seed processing plants. Their plants will be marketed to U.S. seed companies, who have previously had to use several different companies to build a processing plant from start to finish. Jeff Elwer brings a wealth of experience from the seed industry in the design of turnkey plants for seed processing

Alan McCracken, International Product Manager for PETKUS WUTHA seed treatment, believes that the seed industry in the U.S. has a need for his company’s unique services and broad product line.

"There is more and more emphasis on the production of high-quality seed as a result of recent developments in seed technology," says McCracken. "Our specialized manufacturing technology and custom designs will allow us to service the highly competitive seed production market."

The company also plans to market a full line of individual grain and seed processing equipment to existing processing plants, agricultural distributors and dealers and chemical manufacturers. Among the PETKUS product line are magnetic separators, precleaners and cleaners, chemical seed treaters, conveyors, aspiration systems, dryers, deawners and a mobile seed processing plant.

PETKUS specializes in processing equipment for all bulk materials, such as cereals, corn, sorghum and rice. They also have extensive experience in the processing of fine seeds, grass and spices.

According to McCracken, PETKUS brings not only products, but also technology. With a focus on research and development, PETKUS WUTHA is continually analyzing samples from all over the world, and from hundreds of crops.

"Our extensive research concerning the behavior of granular particles and our years of experience in the field, give us the opportunity to bring new technologies and new solutions to our customers problems," says McCracken.

The new division is expected to be fully operational by the end of 1998.

PETKUS WUTHA is a global research and development based company specializing in the manufacturing of equipment for processing and separating grain and seed. For over one hundred years, PETKUS WUTHA has served the needs of the agricultural seed industry. PETKUS WUTHA is committed to providing technology-driven solutions for the production of the world’s sustainable agriculture.

PETKUS is a registered trademark of PETKUS WUTHA, Ltd.