For a quarter of the century, NIBULON has overcome all the obstacles, becoming more perfect and hardened. It happened so when in July 2017 a hurricane tried to test the strength of the company and caused a lot of damage, including the territory of Cherkasy region. It is said not without reason, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”. NIBULON has proved that it can withstand not only the obstacles put by people but also the natural force. 
Recently, there has been a working inauguration of the restored “Zolotonis’ka” branch; it started its operation after large-scale renewal. The merciless hurricane in July that unrooted trees and bent metal significantly damaged the facility, depriving it of opportunity to work – receive and ship grain. At present it is even stronger – as a Cossack fortress. During the restoration work, special attention was paid to the environmental parameters of the production; there was installed new equipment of aspiration systems at the truck-tipper and loader on rail transport. Three dryers with capacity of 75 tons per hour each will process grain. They will be very useful when moist corn is received.
Cherkasy region has great potential in agrarian sector, which is primarily conditioned by successful geographical location in the central part of Ukraine, in the basin of the middle course of the Dnipro River. Therefore, it is logical that in 2007 NIBULON constructed one of its first elevators – “Zolotonis’ka” branch – in Cherkasy region. This modern automated facility, capable of providing world-class services to farmers, proved itself to be the best one in the region since its first days. The branch still maintains these positions.
In less three months there was built a modern facility in compliance with all the norms and technical requirements with a total capacity of 66,000 tons on the site of the former tip; there were built modern administrative and accommodation spaces, laboratory, workshops. Only on June 23, 2007, there were solemnities on the occasion of the beginning of construction process and on September 27, 2007, the first stage of the complex for grain receipt and storage was put into operation. Water supply system, gas supply and power supply systems, telephone connection, automobile and railway accesses were laid in the field.
Leader of Grain Market
Zolotonosha elevator is equipped with the last word in grain storage. The modern seven-sectioned dryer (not two- or three-sectioned ones as at most old elevators) produced by Mathews Company (the USA) became the pride of the facility. It allows the elevator to condition up to 3 thousand tons of grain per day. The elevator is equipped with conveyor transportation systems, electronic weighing equipment. Thanks to modern European equipment, the specialists carry out laboratory researches to determine agricultural commodity quality quickly. The construction expenses comprised more than USD 10 million. 
Of course, the opening of such a complex was a significant event not only for NIBULON and Cherkasy region but for the entire Ukraine. After all, nowadays Ukraine lacks elevators (even more so in 2007), especially the ones of the world level. But producers benefited greatly from it: the facility allowed them to work directly with traders and consequently to receive fair price for grain. Successful work of first branches proved the fact that it is possible to build modern high-tech facilities in Ukraine and it is necessary to do so. Thanks to them the further implementation of NIBULON’s large-scale investment project launched in 2009 to develop transport and logistics infrastructure became possible.
The complex gave an additional impetus to the development of grain industry in the region and demonopolization of the grain market. All factors – fair price, service rate and quality – quickly spread through the agrarians, so many people wanted to bring their grain to this elevator. Moreover, not only Cherkasy agrarians deliver their grain to the elevator but also farmers from Poltava region, as well as farmers from Kyiv region and Chernihiv region. This increased competition and made other elevators carry out modernization to “keep up with” NIBULON.
There is no question of social significance of this elevator. The village has long suffered from lack of jobs. About 100 locals from Voznesenske village, where the branch is located, received job and decent salary due to NIBULON. The work of the elevator significantly improved regional and local budgets, and consequently gave a new impetus to social development.
The entire community of the district experienced the high level of NIBULON’s social responsibility. The company allocated significant funds for the repair of the educational complex in Denhy village, presented 36 computers to eight schools of Cherkasy region before the construction. Annually the company provides financial support to educational institutions – to Voznesensk and Palmira schools, to Krystalyk kindergarten.  
NIBULON has long been an example of socially responsible business in the regions of its activities. The company sponsors 150 schools across Ukraine, repairs classrooms, equips them with computes, and provides different equipment. NIBULON procures modern and unique equipment for hospitals. 
Therefore, assistance to the local community in Cherkasy region was not a one-time act on the occasion of the elevator opening: NIBULON’s specialists participated in repair of rural roads, the company provides financial and material assistance to schools, kindergartens, local and district hospitals, supports social sphere of the village council, supports a volunteer organization which helps ATO participants. 
Since the first days of operation, the first NIBULON’s elevator in Cherkasy region has demonstrated high production results. In 2008/2009 MY, it received more than 218,000 tons of grain. Despite the increase in intra-team competition (as NIBULON continued to construct new facilities), “Zolotonis’ka” branch continued to maintain its high production level. The branch has received almost 1,300,000 tons of grain.
The Elements Force
We are used to the fact that climate in Ukraine is mild and destructive tornadoes rage somewhere beyond the ocean. But obviously, climate change is gradually getting to us. On the first day of the marketing year – on July 1 – stormy wind and rain showers in Ukraine, including Cherkasy region, significantly damaged and somewhere even destroyed houses and industrial facilities, caused disconnection of the power supply, blocked roads, etc.
“Zolotonis’ka” branch was also in the center of bad weather. According to meteorologists, the wind speed reached 32 m/s; according to Beaufort scale it is classified as a hurricane. The elements did not select objects for attack. A lot of nearby enterprises suffered heavy losses; the production facilities were partially destroyed, agricultural machinery was damaged.
Thanks God, nobody of the branch employees was injured. Although, the village itself, including the employees’ homes, was considerably damaged.  Therefore, first of all, the company’s management took care of restoring people’s houses. All of them received financial assistance.
As for the branch, which is the highest building in the region, it significantly suffered during the first wave of the hurricane. Unfortunately, the empty silos that had already been prepared for receiving grain of a new yield were significantly damaged and unsuitable for use. If the silos had been filled with grain when the hurricane raged, they would probably have remained standing. As competent commission pointed out later, there were no violations during the construction and operation of the branch; the silos were damaged due wind force which was far beyond parameters laid down in the calculation of the strength of engineering structures.
Silos have large wind resistance. In the absence of filling, their own weight was insufficient to confront the hurricane. However, grain that was stored at that time at the elevator had not been damaged; it was shipped on rail transport and transported to other terminals of the company.
Ability to Withstand
Elimination of the consequences of the accident was started immediately when the hurricane blew itself out. To inform the world that we work, the company’s flag was raised on a flagpole. Hundreds of trees, including half a century old oaks, were lying unrooted or broken like matches. Parts of the silos were scattered through the territory; there remained only foundation of the weighing station; the unloading complex was almost completely destroyed. The hurricane had been raging on the territory of the facility for 5 minutes.  This was enough to tear some of the silos down and throw them a few thousand meters to the railway of Palmira Station. As a result, the traffic of freight and passenger trains at the segment of Hrebinka Station – Taras Shevchenko Station was suspended. But in 10 hours – at 4.00 a.m. – the remains of the silos were removed, which allowed the railwaymen to restore traffic.
Extreme conditions are the best test. They break weak people and harden strong ones. The hurricane proved the team of the branch is stout-hearted. The very next day after, General Director of NIBULON Oleksiy Vadaturskyy and his well-coordinated team worked on restoration of “Zolotonis’ka” branch. Due to destroyed power transmission lines, the power supply of the elevator was ensured thanks to back up power supply. However, in less than a week the damage was eliminated and the centralized power supply was restored.
There is a great folk tradition in Ukraine to organize joint work of all neighbours to help those who suffered. Each company’s branch formed a team of “quick technical assistance” which went to Voznesenske village. NIBULON’s employees carried out dismantling of constructions and equipment almost by themselves. The works on restoration were performed by reliable contractors as Poltavaspetsmontazh Ltd., Montazhspetskonstuktsiia Ltd., BK Ukrdobrobut Ltd., VF Vzaiemodiya Ltd., Spetsmontazh Engineering Ltd. and others. They have repaired the foundations of the silos, mounted and installed four new chain-linked conveyors, etc.
There was formed headquarters to restore the branch. There were held weekly meetings with the participation of the General Director. His experience and perseverance in achieving the goals served as good motivation for the team. 300 employees worked almost round the clock, tempo and consistency of the processes allowed them to withstand the necessary standards for pouring concrete, assembling and setting up equipment. Despite the headquarters and assistance of the regional director for Poltava and Cherkasy regions Valerii Reutsoi, the main burden of responsibility fell on shoulders of the branch director Ivan Kaliuzhnyi.
Ivan Kaliuzhnyi is a personification of NIBULON’s personnel policy. Young specialists have always been trusted in the company.  It is preferred to employ not the visiting “Varangians” but to grow up and cherish own specialists. Upon graduating from the East Ukrainian National University, he became an employee of NIBULON. He was a chief mechanic, and then he was a chief engineer of “Marianivs’ka’ branch. Last year he became director of “Zolotonis’ka” branch. Despite his youth, he has deep knowledge and production experience. At present he knows his branch to the smallest screw.
We are used to the fact that NIBULON builds very quickly and to a good quality: in 2007, the modern elevator complex was built “from scratch” only in three months. No factors as complexity of the terrain or lack of available communications, soil peculiarities, weather conditions can stop or delay commissioning of a facility. Challenging tasks require more concentration, organization, teamwork and professionalism. Upon nearly three dozens of implemented projects, the company’s staff does not lack these qualities. But in the case of “Zolotonis’ka” branch, people have surpassed all their previous achievements. Two months after the hurricane, the elevator received its first grain for storage.
Every builder knows that constructing a new facility is much easier than rebuilding an existing one.  Especially it is so when one should eliminate the consequences of the elements and clear the construction site before constructing. The damaged silos and equipment were a real threat to builders. All silos of the elevator had to be dismantled, as it was impossible to leave them for further operation. To replace the damaged equipment, there was installed new modern equipment and there was performed a lot of general construction works, as both foundations and the surrounding area were almost destroyed.
Back to Work
On September 10, the restored “Zolotonis’ka” branch hospitably opened its doors. First grain of the new yield was delivered to the silos of the elevator and the commodity producers were able to visit the elevator complex and to make sure that impossible things became possible. Many of them not only saw the devastating consequences of the hurricane but also experienced the impact of the elements themselves. So people understand what enormous work had to be done to launch a large and complex organism of the high-tech elevator.
The agrarians treated a labour victory of NIBULON’s team as their own holiday; they came with their children and grandchildren. All comers were allowed to visit “the holy of holies” – a high-tech production and technological laboratory, so that the agrarians themselves saw the whole chain: the way grain is taken for analysis, what devices and in what consequence are they used to carry out analysis. Olha Poliakova, head of the laboratory who has been working at the elevator since the first day of its operation, explained all the details.
The laboratory, which is certified for eight agricultural crops, is the heart of the elevator. It is constantly updated. There was installed the most modern equipment which allows one to carry out both express and full grain analysis. The complex of all these aspects increases the capabilities, enables it to receive more commodity of high quality.
Ahrofirma Velykyi Khutir was the first company that brought grain to restore “Zolotonis’ka” branch. Their 53 tons of corn started a new countdown of the elevator operation. Judging by the mood of the farmers who came to the opening, they were looking forward to it and gladly continue mutually beneficial cooperation with NIBULON. Although the harvest in central Ukraine is not so high as it was last year, the branch will be provided with work.
As head of Danko Mykola Boberenko said, his farm has been cooperating with “Zolotonis’ka” branch since the beginning of its operation. He both sold grain to the elevator and put it on storage to sell it later for better price. The farmer came to the branch on July 2 because his farm is six kilometers from the elevator. He described what he has seen in one word and the word was “Armageddon”. Frankly speaking, he even did not expect that the elevator would be able to resume its work this year. Danko specializes in growing corn, so this year he will not break the tradition and will bring his crop to “Zolotonis’ka” branch. The agreement has already been signed.
“Zolotonis’ka” branch became a strong Cossack fortress. One of NIBULON’s first elevator complexes (it was the second elevator after the one built in Reshetylivka) received not just a new life but also its second youth.  It operates again; it is ready to work and is capable of receiving and shipping grain. The experience of holding out against the elements that was gained during the restoration will be taken into account during construction of new elevators.
* * *
The status of one of first newly built terminals of NIBULON for grain receipt always motivates the team of “Zolotonis’ka” branch to maintain NIBULON’s reputation appropriately. Constructed on a wasteland and in the territory of the destroyed farm, the branch enjoys leading positions in the regional economy and plays an important role in the social sector. From the very beginning, “Zolotonis’ka” branch demonstrated in practice the importance of NIBULON’s standard in different sectors of life activity.  
The elevator is greatly experienced in cooperating with agricultural producers. This contributes to the operation efficiency. Product suppliers were convinced of honest partnership, transparency and responsibility at the facility. At present, the company maintains a high standard of service rate. A truck with grain stays at the territory of the elevator complex for no more than 15 minutes. It is enough to carry out express analysis of grain, weigh and unload a truck.
The two-month stoppage of the facility will undoubtedly be made up for lost time, since most of NIBULON’s traditional suppliers have remained faithful to NIBULON and have been storing grain at their warehouses. Combination of speed and quality of NIBULON’s elevators, plus fair price for grain makes them undisputed leaders of regional grain markets. 
NIBULON invites agricultural producers to cooperation. Address: 38 Zaliznychna St., Voznesenske village, Zolotonosha district, Cherkasy region, 19741.
For inquiries, call: 095 288 02 21, 050 394 74 73. 
If you have questions that can’t be solved on site, our high-qualified employees in Mykolaiv will always help you.
Tel.:  
(0512) 58 04 03 purchase department (on the issues of supply contracts conclusion and support; financial issues);
(0512) 58 04 17 trading department (consultations on agricultural products purchase and storage).