CHS Inc., St. Paul, Minn., announced on March 5 that it has completed the acquisition of West Central Distribution LLC, a full-service wholesale distributor of agronomy products headquartered in Willmar, Minn. CHS announced in January (GM Jan. 11, p. 25) that it planned to acquire the remaining 75 percent of West Central after purchasing 25 percent of the company in 2015 (GM Jan. 12, 2015).
“Completing the acquisition of West Central demonstrates our commitment to provide more of the products, services, and technologies [that] cooperatives, retailers, and our farmer-owners need to compete,” said Gary Halvorson, Senior Vice President, CHS Agronomy. “Ownership of West Central expands our agronomy platform, positions CHS as a leading supply partner to cooperatives and retailers serving growers throughout the U.S., and adds value for CHS owners.”
West Central operates 30 warehouse locations across 15 states, supplying crop protection, nutrients, and other specialized agronomy products to cooperatives and independent retailers. The company was founded in 1974, and currently has more than 200 employees who will now transition to CHS.
“Joining CHS builds on our shared values and history of collaboration,” said Mike Fiebelkorn, West Central President. “With the combined strengths of both organizations, we can better meet the needs of CHS and West Central customers.”