Storm forces full bin replacement ahead of harvest.
When a severe storm system moved through southeast Nebraska in the early hours of Aug. 9, 2025, Manning Grain faced a worst-case scenario. Winds estimated at 100 mph tore through the facility around 4 a.m. Owner Kent Manning recalls the moment clearly. “We were up at the time because of the warning alerts we received,” he said. “Some terrible crashing noises could be heard outside as the wind reached its peak.”
When the storm passed, the damage was unmistakable. A 105-foot diameter bin, 25 rings tall and holding 725,000 bushels of capacity, had been destroyed. The west side of the structure was caved in, and portions of the roof had been torn away and scattered across the site. A second storm moved through the area the following day, compounding already widespread regional damage.
Immediate Impact
With harvest fast approaching, the loss of that bin created an urgent operational challenge. “A big crop was to be expected, and we were concerned about our ability to meet our customers’ needs.” Rather than scaling back, Manning Grain decided within hours to fully replace the lost capacity. At 6 a.m. on the morning of the storm, Manning contacted Chief Agri district manager Jeff Schmidt to begin the process. “We didn’t even consider scaling back capacity but knew we would have to work very quickly to get it done in time.”
Rapid Response and Coordination
Speed became the defining factor from the outset. Schmidt was on site by early afternoon the same day to assess the damage and begin ordering a replacement bin. “Our Chief rep, Jeff, responded promptly that morning and was on site by 1 p.m. that afternoon to inspect the damage and to get the bin ordering process started,” Manning confirmed. “Without his help, it would have been impossible to get the bin completed in order to fill it by harvest.”
The long-standing relationship between Manning Grain and Chief Industries played a significant role in accelerating the process. The facility already relied on Chief equipment across multiple systems, including legs, conveyors and grain handling components, which streamlined coordination and decision making under pressure.
Demolition and Site Preparation
Before construction could begin, the damaged bin had to be safely removed without impacting surrounding infrastructure. Manning Grain partnered with Blue River Sales and Service to manage demolition and millwright work. That phase came with its own set of challenges, according to Mike Skeen, owner of Blue River Sales and Service. “The biggest challenge for us on the demo was to make sure none of the other structures were damaged as we brought the damaged bin down,” Skeen said. “It was leaning in the wrong direction, so we had some issues to deal with from there.”
Crews were able to remove the bin, conveyor and catwalk system without causing additional damage to adjacent bins or towers, a critical step in keeping the rest of the facility operational. Once demolition was complete, attention turned to site preparation. While some concrete damage required repair, the foundation was largely intact, saving valuable time and allowing construction to move forward quickly.
Coordinating the Rebuild
With harvest approaching, the project timeline left little room for delays. Demolition, site work and construction had to be carefully coordinated to keep progress moving. “We have built a really good team that has been in this kind of scenario before,” Skeen said. “That helped get everyone on the same page to make this a quick turnaround for the customer.”
Blue River coordinated equipment, including a bin jacking system, and handled millwright responsibilities to keep construction moving. At the same time, Chief supplied a replacement bin that matched the original profile but incorporated updated design features, allowing Manning Grain to restore capacity while also improving structural performance.
Updated Design and Performance
According to Schmidt, the replacement structure reflects advancements in bin engineering over the past two decades. “This bin was the same profile but had the new updated design of the roof and laced sidewall sheets and the lap spliced stiffeners,” he said. Those updates are tied to evolving design standards, particularly around wind load capacity. He noted that bin design continues to evolve, and that facilities should regularly evaluate opportunities to upgrade. “The bin designs continue to improve over the years, and it is worth looking at upgrades.”
Ready for Harvest
Through coordinated efforts between Manning Grain, Chief Industries and Blue River Sales and Service, the project moved from destruction to completion in less than two months, with the replacement bin and fill conveyor system operational by early October, just in time for harvest. For Manning, the experience reinforced the importance of decisive action.
“The biggest lesson this project taught us is that you need to act fast when disaster strikes, or you’ll never get back in the game in time,” he said. “The faster you respond, the better your chances are of getting back up and running without missing a beat.”