GEAPS/K-State Receive $100,000 Equipment Donation from GSI

GEAPS and Kansas State University are pleased to announce the receipt of over $100,000 in equipment from Grain Systems Inc. (GSI) for the Hands-On Training (HOT) Program. GSI is one of two 5 Star Donors to the program.

The HOT Program is a new, interactive training option from GEAPS and K-State available for the first time in December. It teaches grain handling and processing maintenance professionals how to repair and maintain common grain conveying equipment through demonstrations, practice, and immediate feedback from instructors.

“GSI’s generous donation supports this innovative training from GEAPS and K-State. It also demonstrates the vital role for industry businesses in helping to fund development of programs needed to train the next generation of grain industry operations professionals to safely and sustainably feed the world,” said Barb Kraft, GEAPS International president, and director of compensation and benefits, Landus Cooperative.  
 
“We are pleased to support this important training that GEAPS and K-State are providing to the industry,” said Lance Brown, GSI global learning and development director. “We’re also excited about the opportunity for K-State students and faculty to work on a daily basis with InterSystems brand equipment.”  

The high-capacity 3i RollerFLO conveyor GSI donated can handle 30,000 to 125,000 bushels of grain per hour. The donated conveyor features many polycarbonate windows to allow trainees to see different parts of the conveyor as it is running. There are also several access doors to allow internal access while the conveyor is not operating.

“There is such a need for this type of interactive training in our industry. GSI’s support is helping us keep grain industry workers up-to-date on the most effective methods of keeping equipment and facilities running smoothly with minimal downtime,” said Marcus Neal, GEAPS international board chair, and director of facility operations, Lansing Trade Group.

About the HOT Program
The innovative two-and-a-half day training program has participants working in small groups to repair common grain conveying equipment. The program takes place at Kansas State University in the Hal Ross Flour Mill. After a safety orientation, participants are divided into six groups, working on: bucket elevator, distributors, screw conveyors, bin sweep, chain conveyors, and belt conveyors. Learn more about the training, or view course instructors online.

The program costs $1375 for GEAPS members and $1725 for non-members. It can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants. Upon completion, participants will earn at least two continuing education units (CEUs) from GEAPS and Kansas State University, and a certificate of completion. Registration is now available on the HOT Program Website.

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