January 12, 2015
CHS expands crop management range with 25% stake in West Central
CHS Inc., a major farmer cooperative in the US, will acquire a 25% share in West Central, a wholesale distributor of crop protection products headquartered in Willmar, Minnesota, US.
The move will expand CHS Country Operations Service Centers'' portfolio of crop nutrients, seed, seed treatments and agronomic services while also exploring further into enlarging its crop protection platform.
CHS will also be able to market private-label products sold under the company''s brand along with current West Central-branded products.
"Investing in West Central is one more way CHS is demonstrating its commitment to help its farmer-owners grow, by providing greater access to products and services across the supply chain," said Rick Dusek, CHS'' Agronomy vice president. "...By investing in West Central, we''re gaining access and market share within the crop protection products business segment."
Expressing his support for the latest deal, West Central''s president, Dale Engan, said that the agreement with CHS is a good fit for the company, which has a 40-year history of helping farm retailers.
He added that West Central will continue to focus on its retail customer base, providing a complete range of crop protection products and agronomic services.
"This opportunity with CHS supports our strategic plans, which include expanding our distribution and service network to support customers, launching new West Central products, and investing in our people," said Engan.