Amalgamated Sugar Beet Washing Plant
Paul, Idaho

After being called early one morning by Louis Grundel, Civil Engineer for The Amalgamated Sugar Company’s (TASCO) Mini-Cassia plant in Paul, Idaho, asking if we would be interested in helping them with the structural design for a new beet washing plant, we immediately scheduled a meeting for 3:00 that afternoon even though the plant is over 170 miles from our office. We discussed the project with them and had a purchase order by 5:00 that evening to start the project.

The project was divided into two phases and completed on a fast track schedule. The south end design was completed and released for fabrication and construction while design was beginning for the north end. The project included the design of support structures, access, enclosures, and foundations for the beet washing plant. The south end included the beet washer, a large drum rock catcher, a small drum rock catcher, two weed catchers, and screens. The north end included a weed catcher conveyor, two final washers, and a small and large beet worm screw. Also included in the design was the support structure for piping, flume, chutes, and the belt transfer conveyors.

The beet washing equipment was supplied by Maguin, a French Company. All of the Maguin drawings were drawn using metric dimensions and weight units which had to be translated into English. Leavitt's has completed several international projects using metric units which helped to speed the project. TASCO was very appreciative and complimentary to Leavitt & Associates for their ability to quickly come to understand and design the project so expeditiously. After completion of the beet washing plant, TASCO showed their appreciation by awarding Leavitt's a contract to design and provide a 10,000 square foot metal building to enclose the facility, and provide two 5-ton overhead bridge cranes.

The Amalgamated Sugar Company has been a good friend to Leavitt Engineering for many years. Their projects have allowed us to do what we do best: design plant facilities combining our expertise in civil, structural, mechanical, welding, and plant engineering.