Inventive Potato Storage Building at Sera Farms

The flexible Zipperlock arch style steel building can be easily adapted as a potato storage building. In a unique example of creative thinking, Zipperlock has installed a centre plenum in the building to provide for the higher humidity required for potato storage.

Take the Wilfred McGillivray example.

Wilfred McGillivray has been growing potatoes since 1942, to feed German prisoners of war held in Medicine Hat and his hometown of Coaldale, Alberta. Today, McGillivray and Sera Farms Ltd. service an even larger market - potato chips and French fries. The business is owned and operated by Ian McGillivray, Wilfred's grandson, Ian's mother Yvonne, and Ian's brother-in-law, Allen Sera. 

Zipperlock Potato Storage Buildings

Zipperlock buildings were selected based on their past success as potato storage buildings. In 1986, McGillivary and Sera Farms purchased two buildings; 180' x 60' and 80'x 60'. As well, in 1989 they purchased two more 85' x 50' each. These storage facilities and the recently installed buildings are connected to a centre loading area measuring 210' x 36'. Only the last two, however, incorporate the centre plenum.

"Zipperlock recommended the centre plenum design. The centre plenum creates a potato bin on each side of the building. They knew what size to build it," says Ian. "It was a turn key job - we had very little work to do ourselves." The plenum is made of plywood and drill stem pipe to withstand the load. End walls, inside the building, have also been built using planking and drill stem pipe. Zipperlock's unique construction, the way it fastens to the foundation, allows either side to be emptied while eliminating unmanageable stress on the other side.

Humidified and Insulated Storage Facilities

"I think the centre plenum idea will really catch on," says Ian, with a rather large smile on his face. "Potatoes require very high humidity during storage, at least 95% or better. By utilizing a centre plenum, we can ensure air is more evenly distributed." To achieve high humidity, a pool of water is stored at the plenum's bottom. Moisture is absorbed into the air and circulated by a large fan. A catwalk has been constructed, on both sides of the plenum, to allow them to inspect potatoes without walking on them.

The buildings are insulated with an extremely durable sprayed-on foam insulation, rated at about an R30 value. "We can't have moisture leaking between the insulation and steel," Ian states, "and with Zipperlock it isn't a problem." Painted steel was chosen over galvanized because galvanized metal requires a lot more preparation to remove its oily protective film so insulation can be applied.
The versatility of a Zipperlock and the innovative attitude of Zipperlock Steel Buildings is a perfect match for the innovative character of McGillivray and Sera Farms Ltd.

Ian McGillivray is a retired chairman of the Association of Potato Growers of Alberta. This six year association placed him front and centre of new advancements by growers. In 1992 McGillivray and Sera Farms Ltd. also tried something different. They constructed two Zipperlock Steel buildings, each incorporating a new, centre plenum design.