You’ve probably never heard of a VI Improver Solubilizer Tank, but if you use any of the quality lubricants marketed by GROWMARK, it makes a difference.

The VI (which stands for Viscosity Index) Improver that was installed in GROWMARK’s remodeled Council Bluffs lubricant facility has helped them to improve productivity and efficiency in lubricant blending, according to Craig Stout, director of lubricant operations. “We were outsourcing the solubiilzing of the viscosity index improver and there was a cost to that so we have significant savings for manufacturing our own products,” Craig explains. In addition, they are now able to do that job for other companies.

GROWMARK purchased the Council Bluffs facility in 2006 to better serve their agricultural customers who need lubricants for tractors, grain hauling trucks and other engines. “GROWMARK has been marketing lubricants probably since lubricants were needed back in the ’20s but we never had our own manufacturing facility,” he said. “It’s allowed us to have more control over the products that we make and be in more control of the quality of the raw materials that we use.”

In addition, Craig says they have upgraded laboratories to test all the products that they make as well as doing used oil testing for customers. GROWMARK’s market for lubricants has expanded beyond their base of agricultural cooperative members across the board to truck fleets, industrial applications, manufacturing facilities and even into the mining industry.

Listen to my interview with Craig here: GROWMARK's Craig Stout