When building or upgrading a liquid fertilizer facility, there are two powerful—and not mutually exclusive—approaches: Modular/Turnkey Systems and Custom Systems Engineering.
At MEI, we support both approaches, allowing customers to choose the right combination for their facility. We offer configurable turnkey systems alongside a full in-house team of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to deliver fully customized solutions when needed.
Understanding the strengths of each approach can help you make the best decision for your operation.
Benefits of Modular and Turnkey Systems Approach for Ag Retailers
Lower Upfront Cost
One of the primary advantages of modular, turnkey systems is cost efficiency—both initially and over the life of the system.
Turnkey systems are typically less expensive upfront due to shared engineering and production costs. MEI’s configurable designs allow for customization without requiring fully custom design and construction, reducing overall expenses.
Additionally, economies of scale enable faster procurement of components at more competitive price points. These systems can also be manufactured and assembled more quickly, helping accelerate project timelines.
Factory testing is another key benefit. Standard systems can be tested against proven benchmarks before leaving MEI’s facility, ensuring performance and reliability prior to installation.
Shown Above: 2 Turnkey Loadout Skids in one of Murray Equipment's warehouses ready to ship.
Utilize Proven and Standard Parts
Liquid fertilizer facilities operate in demanding environments, making maintenance and part replacement inevitable.
With standardized systems, replacement parts are easier to source and integrate. MEI maintains a large inventory of standard components, helping customers minimize downtime and keep operations running smoothly.
Because MEI’s configurable turnkey systems are deployed in hundreds of locations nationwide, they represent proven, field-tested solutions. As improvements or new technologies emerge, components can be updated and incorporated into future system iterations.
Lower Training Costs and Reduce Errors
For organizations operating multiple facilities, MEI’s modular, turnkey systems offer a significant advantage in workforce training and efficiency.
Employees can more easily transition between locations with familiar systems, reducing training time and increasing staffing flexibility. This consistency also helps minimize the risk of operational errors.
Enjoy Clear Upgrade Paths
As facilities grow or systems reach the end of their lifecycle, modular, turnkey systems provide a clear path for upgrades.
In many cases, newer MEI systems can be installed within the same footprint, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations while increasing capacity or efficiency.
Shown Above: MEI's Turnkey Premix Tank System
Benefits of Custom Systems Engineering for Liquid Fertilizer Facilities
While modular, turnkey systems offer many advantages, custom systems engineering plays a critical role in addressing unique challenges and creating strategic advantages.
Accommodate Unique Facility Layouts
Not all facilities are designed to accommodate standard systems. Space constraints or existing layouts may require a tailored solution.
In these situations, custom engineering can often be more cost-effective than modifying or expanding a building to fit a standard system. With MEI’s in-house engineering team, customers benefit from seamless continuity between standard and custom solutions—allowing both approaches to be effectively integrated within the same facility.
Retrofit Existing Equipment
Many facilities have existing equipment that still holds value.
MEI’s in-house engineering team can design systems that integrate new and existing equipment, helping extend the lifespan of assets and maximize return on investment—even when systems are located in different buildings.
Shown Above: Clunette Elevator repurposed an old storage building for its new facility and incorporated an existing ICS 24-7 bay which resided in a separate building.
Addressing Climate and Environmental Factors
Geographic location and climate can significantly impact system design.
Factors such as insulation, winterization, water storage, and system material selection may need to be adjusted based on environmental conditions and the specific liquid products being handled.
With experience serving thousands of customers across North America and beyond, MEI is well-equipped to design systems that perform reliably in a wide range of climates and applications.
Shown Above: Heritage FS Used MEI's In-house Engineering Services to Automatically Switch Between its Water Tanks based on Temperature
Supporting Strategic Advantages
Custom systems engineering allows facilities to build their competitive advantages directly into their operations.
Whether it’s increasing efficiency, improving throughput, or enabling unique processes, custom solutions provide the flexibility needed to support long-term strategic goals.
In some cases, this means a fully custom solution is the best path forward. At MEI, our in-house engineering professionals can come alongside your team and ensure you have the right systems in place for you, your customers, and your organization.
Meeting Local Regulations and Corporate Requirements
While configurable turnkey systems are designed with broad regulatory compliance in mind, certain situations require additional customization.
Local regulations or internal corporate standards may necessitate design adjustments. MEI’s engineering team ensures that all systems meet applicable requirements while maintaining performance and efficiency.
The MEI Hybrid Approach for Maximum Value
At MEI, we believe the most effective solutions often combine the strengths of both approaches.
By leveraging the efficiency and reliability of modular turnkey systems alongside the flexibility of custom engineering, we deliver solutions tailored to each customer’s needs.
The goal is simple: meet requirements, maximize long-term strategic advantage, and reduce total cost of ownership.
Our hybrid approach provides the flexibility and expertise needed to ensure every system delivers maximum value—now and into the future.
Shown Above: Nutrien Ag's Tipton, IN location features a custom-designed repackaging center powered by MEI's ICS configurable controls and incoporating MEI's prefabricated stands and loadout arms
