Growing Together Spring 2026

Cost-conscious solutions improve operational efficiency

“We help solve your problems” is a guiding principle for the Grow West Engineering Division.

The team of seven designs and implements cost-conscious engineering solutions to improve operational efficiency. Services include fabrication, welding, construction, equipment refurbishment and repairs, metal cutting and computer-aided design (CAD).

While most projects are at Grow West locations, the team also works with grower customers.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

The Engineering Division was founded in 2013 as Tremont Engineering. Serving as manager since then is Jason Bonino. He began his career with Grow West in 2009 in field service, and his job gradually morphed to the engineering side. His work as a heavy equipment operator, repairman, mechanic, welder and CAD (computer-aided design) designer have been valuable for leading the team.

Bonino said he and the engineering crew have the technical skills and experience needed to tackle any type of project.

“I really like problem solving,” Bonino said. “Some projects have similarities, but for the most part, each one is different. I also enjoy helping develop my team and being a resource for them. I want to put my guys in a position where they’ll succeed.”

Grow West Engineering Division Manager Jason Bonino

STRENGTHENING GROW WEST OPERATIONS

Two of the largest Engineering Division projects were for the Sonoma and Ukiah Organics locations, where the crew built the tank farms from the ground up.

“We did everything from the initial design to the dirt work, rebar, containment wall, plumbing, setting the tanks, the manifolds and more,” Bonino said.

At the Maxwell tank farm, Bonino worked on design and placement, including the traffic patterns/flow. The team members helped with setting the tanks, the plumbing of the tanks to the loadout racks and connecting A-to-B- type infrastructure.

At the Tudor location, Bonino helped design the catwalk, loadout, overhead infrastructure and plumbing layout.

Maxwell Tank Farm

Ukiah Organics Tank Farm

Smaller-scale projects include building, repairing, refurbishing and maintaining trailers and equipment. At Dixon Wholesale, they’ve done extensive repairs and revisions to buildings and equipment. They’ve also performed infrastructure work at the dry warehouse and liquid fertilizer plant.

With every project, there is thorough communication, plus a review and approval process between Bonino and headquarters or location managers. This collaborative approach ensures that locations get what they need and projects are completed efficiently.

“We know more or less when the busy season is, so we try to finish certain projects accordingly,” Bonino said. “The last thing we want to do is impede their ability to run their operation. We’ll work on some projects in the summer and fall, but we try to do a lot of winter work when the locations aren’t as busy.”

SUPPORTING AND COLLABORATING WITH CUSTOMERS

Bonino said he and his team also work with growers to develop customized projects that support and improve their operations.

“We work for an ag retailer, so we’re familiar with farming and the ag environment,” he said. “We understand the grower mentality. We have a fully equipped shop and a lot of combined expertise.”

Bonino encourages growers to call him if they have questions or ideas. “We can show a list of our services, but it’s better to talk to someone to find out their needs and see how we can assist.”

To that point, Grow West customer Cole Schreiner approached North Valley Operations Manager Eric Rush with an idea for their operation. Schreiner Brothers needed a new service truck for hauling fuel and oil to tractors around the fields. They bought a new cab and frame, but couldn’t find exactly what they needed for a service bed.

“We started with some 3D designs and worked with Cole to get an idea of what they were looking for,” Bonino said. “Our team constructed a flatbed with toolboxes and tanks built in. I was happy we could help – from planning and designing through the finished truck. I feel like it was a good experience for both parties.”

SAFETY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Regardless of the scale and scope of a project, safety and compliance are imperative. That means Bonino does careful research and works with Grow West’s safety manager to ensure everything they work on – internally and for customers – is to spec and compliant with Cal/OSHA.

As part of Grow West’s corporate safety program, the engineering team holds “safety tailgates” and “monthlies.” Every Monday morning, the safety tailgate focuses on a topic that is relevant to current projects they’re working on. These “set everything off on the right foot,” Bonino said.

Topics for the monthlies are updated by Grow West’s corporate safety manager. For example, if they are doing elevated work, then they go through all of the harnesses, ropes and other equipment to make sure everything is good or if it needs to be replaced.

Bonino said it’s critical that everyone is on the same page to be in the best, safest situation.

“Our team is pretty close. It’s like family. You don’t always have to get along, but we have to look out for each other and get through a project safely.”