Pinnacle adds three businesses to growing distribution network
Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings LLC has added three companies to its growing portfolio of agri-business acquisitions. On March 11, Pinnacle announced that it had successfully acquired Whittington-Sanders LLC in Tunica, Miss., and on March 10 the company reported that it had purchased Studer Fertilizer in Roanoke, Ill., and New Era Ag LLC in Monroe, Ind.
Whittington-Sanders, formerly a joint venture between Whittington Wholesale and Jimmy Sanders Inc., will now fully operate as part of Pinnacle’s Sanders brand. Whittington-Sanders was formed in 1995 as a full-service farm supply operation, providing seed, fertilizer, crop protection chemicals, feed, and other farm supplies to local growers.
The new Sanders location will be managed by former Whittington-Sanders co-owners Ken and James Whittington, and will remain at its present location at 1265 Highway 61 South in Tunica. The current employees of Whittington-Sanders will retain their positions under the new ownership.
“We have had an excellent run as Sanders’ business partner for the past 19 years. We felt it would be advantageous to our long-time customers to roll 100 percent of our business into the Sanders business model in order to provide more complete and efficient service to our growers,” said James Whittington. “There will be some subtle improvements in supply chain, inventory, and customer account management that will be to their benefit. As far as faces and service, our customers won’t notice any change at all. This should be a great opportunity for our customers and for us.”
“We are extremely pleased with the recent acquisition of our long-time business partner,” said Gill Corban, Sanders area operations manager. “This is a unique situation in that Whittington-Sanders already felt like family. We look forward to continuing this relationship under the Sanders brand, and we are confident that area farmers will experience a smooth transition and continue to receive the same timely, hometown service that they have come to rely on.”
Studer Fertilizer, which was founded in 1994 as a full-service fertilizer supply operation, will now operate as part of Pinnacle’s Providence Agriculture brand. The business will be managed by former owner Rick Studer, and will remain at its present location at 1517 County Road 2100E in Roanoke. Curt Knepp will continue as sales manager for the location, and all other employees of Studer Fertilizer will also retain their current positions.
“Trust is the cornerstone of our life and the success of our business,” said Studer. “I am confident that through Providence, I have found a company with similar values to those upon which Studer Fertilizer built its reputation.”
Studer Fertilizer began in 1961 as Martin Fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer suspension plant. Rick Studer was employed by the Martin family from 1975 until his purchase of the company in 1994, after which Studer Fertilizer enhanced its product line to include conventional dry fertilizer and crop protection chemicals.
“Providence is very pleased with the recent acquisition of this highly-respected business, and we look forward to working with Rick and his staff to provide excellent service to area growers,” said Todd Louiso, Providence area operations manager. “It is obvious that Studer Fertilizer embodies the same core values on which Providence was established – grower success, integrity, innovation and technology, and dedication to our communities.”
New Era Ag in Monroe, Ind., will also be joining Pinnacle’s Providence Agriculture brand. New Era was founded in 2008 as a full-service agribusiness, providing seed, fertilizer, crop protection chemicals, soil sampling, and various lawn and garden products to local growers. New Era serv