Minneapolis — Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), a middle market investment firm, said Jan. 3 that it has made a significant investment in Actagro LLC, a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of organic liquid and specialty plant nutrients. NEP invested alongside a group of Actagro employees in a transaction that closed Dec. 30, 2011. Actagro says its products are designed to complement conventional plant nutrition, and that they are more stable than most liquid fertilizers and allow for more efficient plant uptake. Sold to agricultural retailers and distributors, Actagro says its products allow for lower amounts of fertilizer and nutrients, offering an environmentally sustainable and lower cost solution for growers. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Biola, Calif., Actagro has more than 60 employees and operates manufacturing facilities in Biola and Osceola, Ark. Actagro has been majority-owned by RedCloud Capital since 2008. Agriculture investment opportunities are a primary focus for NEP. In 2004, NEP invested in Becker Underwood, an Iowa-based global supplier of non-pesticide specialty chemical and biological products. Since its investment, NEP has helped the company more than double in size, broadening its global footprint. NEP manages $5 billion of capital through a series of equity and mezzanine funds.
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