In 2013, the Kansas State University Department of Grain Science completed construction of the world-class O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Center.  The facility addresses the needs and sciences of feed processing, pet food development, and grain handling.

The $17 million project includes an automated 5-ton/hr production and teaching venue and a Bio-safety Level 2 teaching and research feed mill. The center features a 1-ton/hr CPM pelleting system and a grain and ingredient receiving, handling, and storage facility.

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“Vortex supports our Grain Science and Industry Department one hundred percent.  Not only do they supply slide gates and diverter valves for any project, the company makes frequent visits to our campus with their Mobile Display Unit to better acquaint students on how material handling valves are selected, operated, and maintained in a typical flour or feed mill operation.” – Fred Fairchild, Professor & Project Chair, Kansas State University

Additionally, students are able to safely work with low-virulence pathogens like salmonella in feeds.  The facility provides supplements for university animal units as well as serves as a teaching platform for the study of feed science and animal nutrition.

Vortex supported the new facility by gifting the necessary slide gates and diverter valves, which includes Roller Gates, Seal Tite Diverters, and Titan Slide Gates (TSGs).  

"Vortex is happy to support the various Grain Science Department programs and be a part of educating future Kansas State millers,” – Lee Young, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Vortex

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