Part 1:  MiniBulk Agricultural Storage Bags Product Information

 

MiniBulk Agricultural Storage Bags

 

     Keeping seed and grain safely and cost-effectively is often challenging, but MiniBulk Agricultural Bags provide a specialized approach to storage (MiniBulk, 2015).  MiniBulk Agricultural Storage Bags are large, durable plastic sacks which may be ordered in different sizes and different degrees of breathability (MiniBulk, 2015).  MiniBulk woven sacks are manufactured out of UV-treated polypropylene (MiniBulk, 2015).  Polypropylene is a tough oil by-product (MiniBulk, 2015).  The polypropylene is treated with UV light with the purpose of giving the material a longer, branched molecular structure, which makes a more durable and resistant product (Amintwolieh, 2014).  It is important for this product to be very strong, in order to hold grains securely for long periods of time, and be reused over multiple years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                             

                                                                                                   Figure 1: Image of MiniBulk bag of potatoes

                                                                                     (MiniBulk, 2015, Retrieved from http://www.minibulk.com/)

 

 

 

International Manufacturing

 

     These custom bags are manufactured internationally, wherever it is most economical to do so at the time.  Since this product is essentially plastic, it may be manufactured in many countries with different climates.  It does not require refrigeration, or specific levels of humidity as other products might, and thus foregoes many challenges in transport and storage.  It is not biohazardous, and thus requires minimal paperwork in comparison to trading biological materials. 

     Bag prices fluctuate with raw materials, transportation, and exchange rates.  However, very large bulk bags can typically be purchased for under ten dollars, and smaller sacks may be less than a dollar when bought in bulk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian MiniBulk                                                                                            Figure 2: Image of MiniBulk logo (MiniBulk, 2015,                                                                                                                                                                                             Retrieved from http://www.minibulk.com/)

 

     MiniBulk is a Canadian company which manufactures their specialty bags internationally.  They maintain a supply of thousands of prepared bags in Canadian warehouses for minimal wait time in distribution, and offer the option to customize bags for a specific product, size, and storage style (MiniBulk, 2015).  They currently have between 20 and 50 employees, with their Calgary headquarters typically employing 8 individuals (Zoom Information, Inc., 2015; Find The Company, 2015).  MiniBulk’s marketing coordinator is Marty Dilworth (MiniBulk 2015).

 

                                 MiniBulk Contact Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The input required in a Canadian warehouse is minimal for this product, as it does not require refrigeration or a stringent time limit from production to reception by consumers.  Thus, seasonality is not a concern for the Canadian operations, aside from heating/cooling office areas for worker comfort.

     These bags are sold on a pallet.  If all of the compacted bags in a single MiniBulk pallet are unfolded and filled, they can collectively hold 255 tonnes (MiniBulk, 2015).  The number of bags per pallet depends on the size and type of bag ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         Figure 3: Image of MiniBulk bags (MiniBulk, 2015, Retrieved from http://www.minibulk.com/)

 

Custom bags may be ordered online at http://www.minibulk.com/minibulk-bags-for-agriculture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bag Purpose

 

     Storage bags do more than just hold a farmer’s harvest in one place.  In order to maintain optimal seed health for the next growing season, as well as for future consumption, many aspects must be taken into account.  Temperature, humidity, light, pests, transportation, and ventilation all impact seed health (Pleasant, 2006).  Suboptimal storage conditions may encourage fungal growth, insect pests, and reduce future germination.  As well, crops have different optimal storage conditions.  In general, to suppress mould and retain viability, seeds should be dried and stored with good ventilation, out of direct sunlight (Pleasant, 2006).  MiniBulk storage bags are customizable with different degrees of breathability, so produce such as onions may be stored in very permeable fabric, while small seeds can be contained securely in large bags (MiniBulk, 2015).  MiniBulk also offers the option to customize bags with logos to help farmers and dealers market their product (MiniBulk, 2015).  All customized characteristics are done with a purpose.  Due to this versatility, storage bags are not niche products. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                              Figure 4: Diagram of bag dimensions for a possible customized bag

                                                             (Aggregates Direct, 2015, Retrieved from   http://www.aggregatesdirect.co.uk/delivery)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competitive Companies

 

     BAG Supplies Canada Ltd. is another Canadian company that supplies similar bulk bags (BAG Supplies Canada Ltd., 2015).  They offer a wide variety of sizes and styles.  This company also manufactures their bags internationally, and offers to customize bags (M. Wilson, personal communication, October 18, 2015). 

     GrainPro, Inc. sells storage bags that are a more advanced technology (GrainPro, Inc., 2014).  Their bags are designed to allow moisture to escape, but not enter (GrainPro, Inc., 2014).  This is incredibly advantageous in keeping grain dry.  The 75 cm by 130 cm bags cost from $2.25 to $4.50 each (GrainPro, Inc., 2014).  As the prices for this type of product drop over time, it will pose more of a threat to the average storage bags.  However, when these bags are full of grain, they typically need larger, sturdier bulk bags to be transported or stored in.  Therefore, MiniBulk bags and other general bulk storage bags would still maintain export potential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits to Canada

 

     There are similar packaging material distribution companies in Canada which also manufacture their products internationally.  Manufacturing internationally significantly decreases the cost of raw materials and labour.  These companies typically do not use Canadian raw materials.  However, the growth of a Canadian distribution company is economically beneficial to Canada.  Exporting bags from Canadian warehouses creates the potential to employ more workers within the company.  Job-creation may be more-notably impacted in the Canadian transportation sector, as these bags require trucking and freight shipping in their export to Nepal.