Senwes Scenario April / May 2019 | Page 18

NEWS Silos – A brief history With Senwes celebrating 110 years, we look at a brief history of all things related to grain handling, silos, etcetera.  By Senwes Scenario Team Highlights of the first 100 years 1 July 1909 The first maize is received at Klerksdorp station by “De Centraal Westelijke Ko-operatieve Landbouw Vereeniging". 1913 The grain interests of Senwes are extended to the Orange Free State. In 1917, the first annual general meeting for the Free State is held in Rendezvous (today known as Viljoenskroon), which was founded as a town in 1921). Rendezvous was the first fixed property of Senwes in the Free State. 1926 The building of railway grain elevators by the SA Railways commences. Maize 16 is received in bulk. Purpose: To make exports to Europe possible. 1945 Maize-milling facilities commence and the purchasing of mills is considered. During this year Senwes buys the mills in Heuningspruit, Champion (Kroonstad) and Lederle (Theunissen). In 1946 Senwes adds Acme (Klerksdorp) and Tweespruit Mills. In 1949 the Zastron Flour Mill is acquired. 1960 Metrification and computer technology is gradually imported into agricultural business. 1961 Senwes leads the silo-building program in South Africa. SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2019 1962 An extensive grain elevator building programme is launched to manage bulk grain better. 1970 Defatted germ meal and edible oils are exported to the Fiji Islands from 1971. 1971 Scales and weighbridges are converted to metric measures. 1972 A new animal feed and oil-pressing factory is erected at Viljoenskroon and officially opened in 1973. 1992 Kroonstad Wes (Co-operative) Limited amalgamates with Sentraalwes (Co-operative) Limited.