Mid-America Potato Company – Potato Processing Plant

Increased Production Flow and Reduced Labor in Food Processing

Location: Holland, Michigan

Mid-America Potato Company needed an efficient way to move potatoes through multiple production stages. Serpentix conveyors were installed to carry bulk loads around tight plant layouts, reducing manual handling. The system streamlined production flow, minimized labor requirements, and supported consistent, high-quality food processing.

Challenges

EPA-driven surcharge risks from high BOD and suspended solids in effluent
Lost profit from uncollected fine particulate potato waste
Severe space limitations for installing efficient transport system
Need to process and reclaim sludge for livestock feed without contamination

Serpentix Solutions

Replaced four-conveyor proposal (flat belts + elevator + screw conveyor) with single convoluted path

20" belt operated by one 5 HP motor, moving 600-lb sludge batches every 12 min

Formed climbing “S” path with two helical arcs at 30° incline over 95' total length

Sludge routed directly from centrifuges to truck-accessible holding tanks

Results

Recovered 16M lbs/year of clean potato waste for cattle feed

Removed 30% of BOD and 75% of suspended solids from effluent

Reduced municipal surcharge costs, ensuring quick payback on $900K treatment system

Set benchmark for future-ready, EPA-compliant food industry wastewater design

Case Study: Mid-America Potato Company

Industry: Food Processing / Agricultural Waste Management

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan 

System Used: Single Model “I” Serpentix Conveyor (95′ continuous path) 

Application: Elevating potato sludge from centrifuges to dual 50,000-gallon holding tanks for cattle feed reuse

Challenges

EPA-driven surcharge risks from high BOD and suspended solids in effluent

Lost profit from uncollected fine particulate potato waste

Severe space limitations for installing efficient transport system

Need to process and reclaim sludge for livestock feed without contamination

Serpentix Solutions

Replaced four-conveyor proposal (flat belts + elevator + screw conveyor) with single convoluted path

20″ belt operated by one 5 HP motor, moving 600-lb sludge batches every 12 min

Formed climbing “S” path with two helical arcs at 30° incline over 95′ total length

Sludge routed directly from centrifuges to truck-accessible holding tanks

Results

Recovered 16M lbs/year of clean potato waste for cattle feed

Removed 30% of BOD and 75% of suspended solids from effluent

Reduced municipal surcharge costs, ensuring quick payback on $900K treatment system

Set benchmark for future-ready, EPA-compliant food industry wastewater design

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