INTERVIEW WITH GROWKET

Growket is a Spanish company specialized in designing, manufacturing and marketing of feed silos and flex auger and chain feed delivery system; and broiler feeding line. State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a technician team that works on the continuous improvement of the product make.

Symaga was founded in 1985 by Alfonso Garrido for manufacturing silos and livestock equipment. It is currently a multi-national Spanish company owned by Garrido family and exporting more than 90% of the production. Growket inherits the excellence and experience of Symaga Group for manufacturing and marketing of silos. More than 35 years of experience, 12,000 projects in more than 145 countries are the guarantee of a reliable manufacture and delivery.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

GROWKET: Symaga was born more than 35 years ago for manufacturing silos and livestock equipment. Symaga divided its portfolio into several business lines until 2016: first line for design and manufacturing of galvanized steel silos for grain storage; second line for feed silo and livestock equipment; and third line for manufacturing metallic water tanks and vineyard equipment.

After a huge process of investment and restructuration Symaga remains the brand for manufacturing and marketing of industrial silos. Growket is born as the brand name for feed silos and flex auger and chain feed delivery system; and broiler feeding system; and Agravid for metal water tanks and vineyard post.

E.E: What’s the news about new products?

GROWKET: Growket feeding system improvement project follows an ongoing process. In 2019 we present a new drive unit for chain transport system and broiler feeders, Albro y Broli. In 2020 feed silo was optimized under EUROCODE 1.4. In 2021 we launched UNIFLEX control unit and in 2022 we improve the boots line with a transparent register and we add the 125 diameter boot with double outlet.

Symaga Group has decided to focus all of Growket’s technical and human assets in the feed silo, auger and chain feed delivery system and broiler feeding systems. The goal is to efficiently develop these product line, improving all current portfolio in order to position between the best worldwide manufacturers of feed silo and feed delivery system.

E.E: What are the ranges of products?

GROWKET: Since 2016, Growket has been Symaga Group’s brand for livestock equipment.

It offers delivery silos and a wide range of feed silos, with capacity from 4,77 to 85m3, offering 6 diameters: 1.80, 2.10, 2.50, 2.75, 3.20 and 3.80 meters with 45º, 60º and 67º hopper and a wide range of accessories. Feed silos are manufactured under norm En-1090, CE Marking and according to EUROCODE 1.4, we are the first silo manufacturer to obtain this European normative in 2017. Feed silos are made of Z600 galvanized steel, ensuring twice the silo’s service life compared to other suppliers. In 2020, Growket launches an optimized structure of the silo, keeping design under norm EU 1.4. Now we may offer under request, calculation of different seismic coefficients, snow load & wind speed, and possibility to calculate in other norms. The objective is increasing the competitiveness of the company’s key product, silo, in a continuous improvement process.

Growket’s flexible augers and chain feed delivery system is resistant and versatile, and complement feeding systems. Flexible augers are safe transport of all kinds of feed (granules, flour, pellets and mixtures). We offer different models from 400 kg/h to 4000 kg/h, in Ø 55, 75, 90 and 125mm. It includes all these components: cones and silo connections, boots from 55 to 125 diameter, flexible auger with diameter models of 55, 75, 90 and 125mm. On request different lengths. Other components of flexible augers feed delivery system are control units: 2 models in inox and plastic, sensors, control panels, outlet drops,  starter and intermediate hoppers and dispensers.

Chain feed delivery system is versatility and safety, for all types of feed (granules, flour, pellets and mixtures).Modular and adaptable, it allows any design of buildings. The 90º change of direction makes it possible to transport food from the outlet of the silo. It can be connected to the flex auger system or silo directly. Available for 60mm diameter metal tube. It includes all these components: cones and silo connections, load unit, chain, corners, tubes, drive unit, control panels, outlet drops and dispensers.

Feeder’s lines Albro and Broli achieve more efficient feed conversion from the first to the last day of broiler. ALBRO with a 14 struts-grill and BROLI with a 5-struts grill. Characterized by their resistance, higher thickness of the pieces, above market standards. Easy access of chick from the first day due to W-shaped pan bottom ideal for sink into the bedding. Hinged pans for an easy cleaning. We use plastic resistant to UV rays, detergents and disinfectants. Feeding line is complemented with a new galvanized ribbed tube, in addition to standard tube; and an end-of-line control pan with LED, which emits wavelengths to attract the birds, ensuring complete filling of feeder line. Our broiler feeding system includes feeders, initial hopper, 45º boot, line tubes, end of line pan feeder, flexible auger 45º, control panel, geared motor and winch and suspension system.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

GROWKET: We are now in a growing stage in developing countries where the labor costs are rising so the automatization of the farms by means of silos and transport are system become to be necessary. In western countries the market is in a mature stage where solution for digital control of livestock building is demanded.

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

GROWKET: 2022 has been market by Ukranien war and by the rise in energy price, to which we add previous trend of increasing price in raw materials and logistic of post covid era. This has created uncertainty and slowed down the projects.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

GROWKET: The new products comply with the market requirements for digital control, so we have weighing control cells in feed silos or sensors that report on fill level of silos, so that the farmer is informed about feed consumption and allows the optimization of the logistic cost around the farm and the feed.

E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?

GROWKET: The market came to standstills in the second quarter of 2022, therefore, we estimate that it will grows slightly in this year, although everything will depend on war and prices of raw material, energy and logistics.