MONTGOMERY, ILL. — United Sugars Corp. has broken ground on a new bulk sugar storage and transfer facility in Montgomery, Ill., 45 miles west of Chicago. United Sugars will operate the $40 million facility, which was built and financed by American Crystal Sugar Co. United Sugars also will manage the sales and distribution to customers in the area.

Matt Wineinger, president of United Sugars

“This facility will help meet the growing needs of our customers and affords us plenty of space to expand,” said Matt Wineinger, president of United Sugars.

The 20-acre facility consists of a 26,000-square-foot bulk storage dome, a 17,000-square-foot transfer facility and 5,500 feet of track space. The dome itself will stand 134 feet high and 183 feet wide, according to United Sugars.

 The dome will hold more than 60,000 tonnes or 1.3 million cwts of sugar, and enables the transfer of nearly twice that amount to many of the largest sugar users in the United States, the company said.  The facility is not attached to a producing sugar factory, making it the largest freestanding sugar storage facility of its kind in the United States.

Dirk Swart, executive v.p. of industrial sales and marketing at United Sugars

“Customer requirements change frequently, and this facility will allow us to quickly and easily respond to their needs and avoid interruptions in supply,” said Dirk Swart, executive vice-president of industrial sales and marketing at United Sugars.