Branching out into renewables

US industry infrastructure and supply chain services company Savage continues to grow and diversify after 75 years in business

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SAVAGE, based in Salt Lake

City, US, is a global provider of industry infrastructure and supply chain services, and this year celebrates 75 years in business. With nearly 4,500 team members in over 200 operating locations, the privately held company has steadily grown over the years to become a leading provider of transportation, logistics, materials handling, engineering and construction services across North America.

BEGINNINGS AND SERVICES

A family-owned, professionally managed business, Savage had humble beginnings, starting in rural American Fork, Utah in 1946, when Kenneth Savage purchased a truck with his father shortly after returning home from serving in the US Navy in WWII. In time, his two younger brothers Neal and Luke joined the family business, hauling materials in Utah and surrounding states. The Savage brothers built their business on the principles of integrity, hard work and innovation, values that company leadership continue to champion. Savage now works to optimise supply chains for customers across multiple industries, relying on its team’s expertise in rail services, trucking, marine transportation, terminal logistics, materials handling, facility operations and design, build, own, operate and maintain (DBOOM) services. Savage’s operations can be found throughout the US, as well as in Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Its infrastructure services, delivered though Savage Infrastructure, provide in-plant materials handling and management, and rail, truck and marine services, for large industrial customers. Its agriculture services, delivered through the company’s Bartlett grain and milling business is among the largest US exporters of grain to Mexico. And its environmental services business, EnviroServe, provides emergency response, environmental remediation, production services and waste management across the United States. Savage has operated transload and storage terminals for many years and its Savage Transload Network currently consists of about 50 owned and/or operated terminals stretching from the east to the west coast of North America. This year, the company has been engineering and constructing new railports at a rapid pace, partnering with Class I and short line railroads in several instances and focussing on meeting growing market demand in commodityconstrained and transitioning industries.

A NEW TERMINAL

In August 2021, Savage announced a newly completed multi-commodity railport in San Joaquin County, near Stockton, California, that will serve as a gateway for the distribution of renewable fuels into the state of California. The Stockton terminal provides a connection to the BNSF and Union Pacific railroads, and Savage officials describe it as a key link in the supply chain for transporting renewable diesel and biodiesel produced in the Gulf Coast and US interior for use by California and West Coast consumers. Strategically located in California’s Central Valley region, Savage’s Stockton railport includes 20 transload spots and the capability to expand its capacity and services to meet growing market

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demand. While primarily intended for the distribution of renewable fuels, the facility is also equipped to safely move and manage additional commodities essential to California’s economy. OmniTRAX, a national logistics company, will transport rail cars and service the Stockton railport on its affiliate, Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE). ‘This is one of many projects we’re working on to drive innovation in the design of critical infrastructure and optimise the flow of renewable fuels to support sustainable transportation solutions for our customers and communities across the country,’ said Savage Infrastructure sector president Brad Crist.

THE DRIVE FOR RENEWABLES

The Stockton railport is part of Savage’s plans to lead the buildout of renewable energy assets and services, and is one of multiple projects in development with partners in the agriculture and energy industries. The company is focussed on opportunities to purchase, source and deliver feedstock to renewable fuel producers; provide engineering and construction of terminals and other assets; and drive out inefficiencies in renewable fuel supply chains through efficient logistics and operations management. In October 2021, Bartlett, a Savage Company, announced plans to construct a US$325 million soybean crushing plant in Kansas, capable of handling about 38.5 million bushels of soybeans annually. Soybean meal and refined soybean oil from the facility will provide feedstock used in producing renewable fuels, food products and animal feeds. ‘We’ve seen a dramatic increase in demand for our team’s expertise and experience across our three verticals – agriculture merchandising and logistics, energy and chemical infrastructure, and environmental services – to develop renewable energy projects,’ said Kirk Aubry, Savage president and CEO. ‘Our team has proven we can reduce inefficiencies in renewable fuels markets and create significant value for producers and consumers.’ Jason Ray, Savage executive vice president of business development and engineering, adds: ‘Our breadth of knowledge and experience across multiple industries makes Savage a great partner to drive the expansion of renewable fuels infrastructure and operations. Growing consumer demand and government policies accelerating the adoption of renewable and lowercarbon transportation fuels make this the right time for Savage to expand our involvement in improving the renewable fuels supply chains.’

NOT JUST RENEWABLES

Savage has also recently developed other railports capable of handling liquid products, including a new railport in Tooele, Utah, serving the Salt Lake City market, and a railport with transload and railcar storage capabilities being constructed in partnership with Kansas City Southern in Mossville, Louisiana. In Utah, the Tooele railport can safely handle both non-hazardous and hazardous products and transfer materials from trucks to railcars for delivery across the US. The facility includes 45 railcar spots, warehousing, ground storage, conveyor systems and railcar steaming capabilities, and it provides access to Union Pacific rail lines. In Louisiana, Savage’s Mossville facility is nearing completion and will provide a critical link in the supply chains of Lake Charles, Louisiana area refineries, chemical plants and other businesses. When completed, the Mossville railport will include over 70 active transloading spots (expanded from 40 existing spots) for moving chemicals, refinery products and other materials between trucks and railcars. It will also have 600 spots for railcar staging, enabling plants, refineries and other area businesses to store railcars closer to their facilities. The railport also will provide access to moving products into Mexico on KCS rail lines. Savage also handles other dry bulk commodities such as hay, grain, lumber and construction materials.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Savage officials say they are committed to doing the right thing for their team members, customers, and communities, and provide opportunities for team members to grow and develop their careers. For years, Savage has supported charitable and educational organisations and initiatives in many communities through its Savage Cares program. The company also strives to foster a diverse and inclusive culture that respects and values everyone’s contributions. Company leaders believe that by building on a strong foundation, Savage will continue to drive positive change and be better tomorrow than they are today. The company’s recent accolades have included being selected as the 2020 Utah International Business of the Year, receiving the 2019 Utah Ethical Leadership Award and being designated as a Military Friendly employer for four consecutive years. Company leadership view this recognition as being a reflection of the entire Savage team’s commitment to doing things the right way and taking ownership for ensuring safety.

For more information:

www.savageservices.com/savagecompanies/ For business opportunities, contact Jason Ray at jasonray@savageservices.com or +1 801 944 6516.

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Savage has operated transload and storage terminals for many years and its Savage Transload Network currently consists of about 50 terminals

01 The Stockton railport 02 Savage opens the Tooele railport 03 A Savage rail engine