Todd & Sargent has specialized in design, engineering, and construction since 1933, and their name is synonymous as one of the early pioneers in the grain elevator construction business in Iowa. Since its founding, the company has become a recognized design, engineering, and construction leader in the food and ag space.
Headquartered in Ames, Todd & Sargent constructs projects across the United States and Canada. In 1933, George Todd moved his family from Eagle Grove to Ames and started his wood cribbed grain elevator construction business. At that time, most of his jobs were within 100 miles of Ames.
In the 1950’s, Todd was looking for a successor for his business and found a viable suitor in Warren Sargent. After working for several years in the steel industry in Pennsylvania, Sargent moved back home to Iowa to partner with Todd, and in 1958, the company was renamed the Todd & Sargent Construction Company. Todd eventually sold his interest in the company to Sargent in 1962 but continued to work for the company until his retirement in 1969. While the Todd family’s involvement ended decades ago, the company has always kept that name out of deference to the legacy that George Todd began in 1933.”
Until the 1950’s, most elevators were wood cribbed and topped with galvanized sheet metal. In 1961, Sargent began experimenting with new designs, such as welded bins with a smooth interior surface that became the hallmark design for feed mills until concrete construction became the economical way to build larger facilities. The agricultural boom of the 1970’s and early 80’s saw an increase in demand for concrete elevators; facilities went from storing hundreds of thousands of bushels in 1971 to millions of bushels by 1980.
The turn of the century and beyond brought expansion and a variety of diversified projects for Todd & Sargent. The company completed its first flour mill in 1996 and its first oilseed processing facility in 2003. A new malt house was constructed in Minnesota in 2016. While the design and construction of feed mills and grain elevators have long been steady staples for Todd & Sargent, a constant eye on developing additional markets has further driven the company’s success.
Todd & Sargent continued to expand their presence as the industry evolved. Todd & Sargent Canada was created to build shipping terminals in response to an expanding grain industry. In 2001, they began work in the ethanol and biodiesel industry and formed a strategic partnership with West Central Cooperative, forming Renewable Energy Group, specializing in the design, engineering, construction, and start-up of new biodiesel facilities across the United States.
Today, more than 300 employees throughout North America help clients efficiently and effectively store, process, and distribute materials with a wide portfolio of projects. For nine decades under family leadership, the company has built a proud heritage of successful projects and strong partnerships that have led to its current industry leadership position.
