Iowa-based United Suppliers Inc. reported on Oct. 17 that it has closed on a deal to buy the assets of Evans Enterprises LLC, an ammonium chloride fertilizer business based in Olathe, Kan. The deal includes patented technology used in fertilizer products that provide both nitrogen and chloride to cereal-grain crops, including corn, grain sorghum, and wheat.
“United Suppliers is excited to bring a strong and growing ammonium chloride product line and business into our crop nutrients portfolio. This acquisition fills an existing gap for us,” said Brad Oelmann, CEO of United Suppliers. “Given the needs of our owners, especially in the western U.S., we’re in an excellent position to help grow the business moving forward.”
Evans’ products include AmChlor Basic™ and AmChlor Dry™, both of which provide nitrogen and chloride. Evans said its AmChlor Basic™ fertilizer solution (6-0-0+16.5Cl) is designed to mix with phosphate, UAN, and ammonium thiosulfate, while AmChlor Dry™ (25-0-0-64) mixes readily with urea. Both products can be used in preplant or sidedress applications on grain sorghum and corn, and in topdress applications on wheat.
United Suppliers said the technology will align with its existing crop nutrients offerings to meet the specific needs of growers in the Great Plains looking to increase yields and profits. It noted that the products produced by Evans are most frequently used on crops grown in the western U.S. to increase their yield potential.
“As we looked to sell the business, United Suppliers was a natural fit,” said Bryan Evans, president of Evans Enterprises. “They’ve been a long-time customer, and as we’ve gotten to know the team and the business, it was clear to us that the business we’ve built would be in good hands to not just maintain what we’ve created, but grow for the future.”
United Suppliers said it is taking over day-to-day operations effective immediately, with all current Evans Enterprises employees joining the United Suppliers team.
United Suppliers is headquartered in Ames, Iowa, and is owned by more than 550 locally-owned and operated agricultural retailers. The company focuses on macro-nutrients, starters, and innovative performance brands, and operates seven owned and 17 leased terminals through its Transportation Express (TEX) transportation service.
Exactly one year ago (GM Oct. 12, 2015), United Suppliers officially merged its seed and crop protection business with Land O’Lakes Inc., Arden Hills, Minn. The company plans to merge its crop nutrient business into Land O’Lakes as well by September 2017, or possibly earlier if Land O’Lakes and CHS Inc. decide to terminate an existing non-compete agreement.