Comco • 800-225-4417 • http://www.ComcoControls.com
Reprinted from Grain Journal July/August 2019 Issue
History
Comco was founded by Willie Unger in 1986 in the small town of Hague in Saskatchewan, Canada as a provider of electrical control and automation systems for the grain handling industry, initially in western Canada and today serving customers worldwide.
“Willie founded the company in his early twenties, and he didn’t have two nickels to rub together,” says Cheryl Lansink, director of sales. “But he was a hard worker and got a large contract early on with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool to wire all of their elevators.”
During that project, Unger realized how closely automation is associated with electrical and saw the opportunity and benefits in providing both of these together as a larger electrical package, Lansink says.
“Our company has some really strong roots,” she adds. “I started at Comco 20 years ago as a programmer, and there were only four programmers. Now, Comco has 30 employees, and 90% of the staff is technical.”
Today, Comco consists of electrical engineers, drafting, software developers (Human Machine Interface and PLC programming), systems technicians, electricians, and a shop team skilled in manufacturing CSA/UL-approved motor control centers (MCC), PLC, and marshalling panels.
The company’s head office is located in Saskatoon, SK, Canada with a U.S. office in Ida Grove, IA.
Gate starter panels and PLC panels being assembled.
Philosophy
“We’re control freaks,” responds Lansink when asked to describe the company’s culture.
“Our programmers are not just desk programmers. They’re always coming to me, saying, ‘I found this new technology. Is there anything we can do with it?’ They truly love their jobs, and they love technology,” she explains. “Control is our number one business, and we’re proud of what we do.”
Comco works hard to provide quality systems and great customer service. If customers succeed, it will result in repeat business, and word of mouth will help reach potential new customers. Lansink says a satisfied customer base and referrals are crucial to the company’s bottom line.
“Listening to the customer is key, not just during the installation phase of a project but right from the start of the planning/engineering/design phase through the post-installation service phase. Our engineers, sales team, and project managers make sure from the onset of a project that they understand the customer’s end goals and priorities. Whether it is a retrofit project, where we need to do a lot of upfront work for the customer that includes site visits to create flow diagrams even before quoting, or helping the customer understand how to plan technology for a new build, it’s a long-term relationship.”
In fact, Lansink suggests, “We are not a computer company. We don’t sell you a system and walk away. Our customers need to be prepared for the fact that this is a relationship. There is a lot of collaboration, and I think that’s incredibly important, because we have found that most facility managers want a relationship with someone they can trust.”
Comco programmer providing on-site support.
Products
Comco has been designing and installing PLC control systems at grain elevators and feed mills for the past 30 years. For complete front-to-back facility automation, or the automation of a single process, the company works with customers to ensure they receive the optimal system to maximize production and facility efficiency.
“Our software is custom written,” says Lansink, “so we’ll take a blueprint from a facility, like a flow diagram, and we will custom program to the facility,” Lansink explains. “Our strength is that tailor-made approach.”
Comco is proud of its ability to keep up with technology as it changes and provide the very best solutions for customers. Lansink says as plants become increasingly integrated, they can tie into a hazard monitoring system to seamlessly pull info into the automation software. “As sensors become smarter, we can provide greater ability for ‘lights out’ scenarios,” she says. “That’s the way the industry is going – fewer people to run larger plants.”
To that end, the company’s products also feature easy-to-use graphical screens, clear alarm information, accurate weighing, and on-site technical services. Comco can provide customers with electrical engineering services, CSA/UL panel manufacturing, on-site installation services, and the ability to integrate third party devices (e.g., grain dryers, loadout scales) for one seamless solution.
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
800-225-4417
Branch Office: Ida Grove, IA
Willie Unger, President
Cheryl Lansink, Director of Sales
Products & Services: Facility Automation, CSA Electrical Panels, Scale Installation and Service
