Meridian Today

Meridian Industries and Wheatland Bins were purchased by WGI Westman Group Inc. in 2002, joining a broader entrepreneurial group of companies comprised of: Behlen Industries, Westman Steel Industries, Frontier Laser and Canada Culvert. In 2004, the acquisition of Friesen USA brought together the dynamic group of smooth skin all welded bin manufacturing facilities, with the inclusion of a recognizable corporate name - Meridian Manufacturing Group. The Winnipeg based parent company, WGI, is recognized as one of "Canada's Best Managed Companies."

History

In 1965 Meridian launched its first all welded smooth wall steel hopper bin from a small farming community in rural Manitoba. The Friesen Bin soon became the preferred alternative to the familiar galvanized corrugated variety, with manufacturing space expanding to meet the ever growing demand. A subsidiary, with the autonomous identity of Wheatland Bins opened in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1979. An additional sales office was opened in Camrose, Alberta in 1984. Camrose was well suited logistically to expand the manufacturing capability of the growing business, therefore two years after opening a sales office in central Alberta, Camrose was manufacturing bins as well. Another satellite was launched in Storm Lake Iowa in 1989, with the whole US market to explore, the bulk seed tender becoming their most valued product. A larger more permanent facility was built in Winkler, Manitoba in 1997, bringing with it employment opportunities for the growing community. The same year, Camrose moved into a new office and manufacturing complex expanding the shop floor space to accommodate the continuing demand for a hoppered bin, both in agricultural as well as commercial bulk storage. Expansions and new innovations continued in all four facilities, as powder coating ovens and self contained sand blasting units were added to each shop. More recently, industrial and agricultural ULC Petroleum tanks have been added to the Meridian Product line. In 2002, WGI Westman Group Inc, purchased the Manitoba and Alberta production facilities with Storm Lake completing the acquisition in 2004. In 2007, all operations came together and became known as Meridian Manufacturing Group, with product names such as Friesen, Wheatland, Stor King, and Grain Max converging in 2008 under the strong recognizable Meridian brand.

Facilities

Meridian Manufacturing Group consists of four sister facilities, each accommodating a large sales region, but working congruently to benefit customers across the prairie provinces, the American mid-west, as well as customers as far north as Alaska and south to Belize. Winkler, Manitoba, Lethbridge and Camrose, Alberta, and Storm Lake, Iowa, independent of one another, became the Meridian Manufacturing Group in 2004, with over 600 trained and committed employees, many with more than 25 years of welding and manufacturing experience. Meridian Manufacturing Group has over 300,000 square feet of production space and 100,000 cubic feet of powder bake ovens with some of them being among the largest in the world. Meridian has a trained and dedicated sales team serving regions across Canada and the USA, as well as a vast network of dealers with a vested interest in their customer's business operations.

Our Partners

WGI, Westman Group Inc.

WGI Westman Group Inc. is a dynamic entrepreneurial group of companies composed of BEHLEN Industries LP, Westman Steel Industries, Frontier Laser, Canada Culvert, Sakundiak Equipment, and Meridian Manufacturing Group. The Westman Group operates manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities in 24 centers in Canada and the US, maintains dealer networks across North America, and has a worldwide customer base.

BEHLEN Industries

BEHLEN Industries LP was established in 1969 in Brandon, Manitoba and is currently Canada's largest manufacturer of steel building systems. Over the past 40 years, BEHLEN Industries LP has provided building solutions to North America's leading organizations and has expanded to serve customers worldwide, achieving this growth and recognition through commitment to quality and customer service.

Westman Steel Industries

Westman Steel Industries has over 29 years of fabricated structural product manufacturing experience. With their experience and vast knowledge in the steel industry they are able to provide information and support for all of your agricultural, commercial, and residential needs.

Frontier Laser

Frontier Laser is a competitive job shop with state-of-the-art computer-controlled lasers and brakes, also providing fabrication, punching and painting services. Frontier's extensive experience enables them to produce quality parts and components and meet strict delivery requirements from prototype to production.

Canada Culvert

Canada Culvert is the culmination of over 150 years of experience entrenched in delivering high-quality, ground-breaking engineered products supported by exemplary service and expertise. By offering versatile, cost-effective products they have set the benchmarks on the Canadian landscape.

Sakundiak Equipment

Sakundiak Equipment has been setting the standard for building quality Mechanical and Belt Driven Grain Augers in North America for over sixty years. Through a system of agricultural implement dealers throughout Canada and the northern United States, Sakundiak Farm Equipment has become one of the largest grain auger suppliers in Canada and its marketplace continues to grow.