SCH Services traces its beginnings back to the early 1990s when Southern Coal Handling was formed as a terminal development company under the guidance of John Hunt. Shortly after its formation, Mr. Hunt acquired a minority stake in the company, and in 1995, he became the sole owner. During this period, it was noticed that there was significant value in coupling engineering services with terminal development and operations. Accordingly, Cornette Engineering Services was acquired to compliment the service offering.
Southern Coal Handling's first project was design and construction of a rail load out facility in Will County, Illinois. Following this project, Southern Coal Handling and its Cornette Engineering affiliate made a name for themselves in the industry as a leading engineering and design firm.
In 2002, Southern Coal Handling entered into a partnership with Ashley Capital, which has proved to be more than just a financial partnership. Through this partnership, Southern Coal Handling was able to enter into the bulk materials handling business which commenced with the design and turnkey construction of a new coal terminal in Calvert City, Kentucky in 2003. The Calvert City Terminal is a rail served facility with a throughput capacity in excess of 12 million tons per year, 4,000 ton per hour loading and unloading rate, and a two million ton stockpile capacity. This facility incorporates both a rotary rail car dumping system, a traveling stacker and has the capacity to accurately blend four coals with certified weighing and automatic sampling. The terminal is also capable of receiving coal by barge or truck.
As a follow on to the terminal in Calvert City, the company developed and operated Vermilion Transmodal in northern Illinois. This facility was designed to transload coal from unit trains into trucks for delivery at a nearby power station. However, the power station was idled in 2010 and the facility is no longer in operation.
In 2010, Southern Coal Handling and Ashley Capital took the partnership even further by consolidating all of the Southern Coal Handling entities, including Cornette Engineering, under the SCH Services umbrella. By forming a partnership with consolidated ownership over all aspects of the business, the company has become more flexible and stronger fiscally.
Soon after the consolidation of the companies, SCH Services began to realize the anticipated growth and corresponding efficiencies. In July 2011, the company announced the acquisition of Pride Terminal in North West Alabama. This facility, located on the Tennessee River in Tuscumbia Alabama, once handled more than six million tons of coal. Following extensive renovations, this facility is expected to have an annual capacity in excess of ten million tons.
Concurrently, SCH is hard at work with plans to develop the long anticipated Four Rivers Terminal in Western Kentucky. This facility, located on the Ohio River with access to four Class I railroads, is expected to have a capacity of more than ten million tons annually.