All Posts from September 4, 2014

Wilbur-Ellis acquires Poynter’s Ag Supply in North Dakota

Breaking Industry News

Wilbur-Ellis Co. announced on Sept. 4 that it has acquired the assets of Poynter’s Ag Supply, a retail facility and Wilbur-Ellis alliance partner located in Sawyer, N.D. The location will now be part of Wilbur-Ellis’s Midwest Region, and joins the company’s other North Dakota facilities at Elgin, Grafton, Grand Forks, Lisbon, Minot, Mott, Rolla, Wahpeton, and Walhalla.

“We expect the transition to Wilbur-Ellis ownership will be seamless given our long- standing partnership with the company,” said Duane Poynter, owner of Poynter’s Ag Supply. “Wilbur-Ellis places great value on integrity and operational excellence, which we believe is important. I look forward to future successes with the Wilbur-Ellis team.”

As an alliance partner, Poynter’s Ag Supply has purchased a majority of its products, including plant protection, nutrition, and seed, from Wilbur-Ellis, including the company’s branded products. Wilbur-Ellis said the acquisition will allow growers more access to its agronomists, technology specialists, and other services including aerial application. In addition, Wilbur-Ellis said the Sawyer location’s proximity to the Minot facility and other locations makes it a strategic fit for the company’s expanding operations in North Dakota.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the talented team at Poynter’s Ag Supply to Wilbur-Ellis,” said Randy Haugeberg, Wilbur-Ellis area manager. “We have an established relationship with the company, and I believe that our common goals of helping our customers succeed will be mutually beneficial for all parties.”

Fire destroys Kugler fertilizer facility in Colorado

Breaking Industry News

A massive fire at the Kugler Company fertilizer facility in Sterling, Colo., on Sept. 3 reportedly destroyed nearly 95 percent of the building and caused a small anhydrous ammonia leak that prompted the evacuation of approximately 200 households on the northeast side of town.

The fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. and fire crews had the blaze under control by roughly 5 p.m. Ten workers were inside the plant at the time of the blaze, but all were able to safely evacuate with no injuries reported. When responders detected the leaking ammonia, a reverse 911 call went out to area homes ordering the evacuation. Local news reports on Sept. 4 said no one required hospitalization or reported getting sick from the leaking ammonia.

Investigators on Sept. 4 said the fire was likely started by a welding accident. The Sterling Fire Department remained on the scene overnight on Sept. 3 to keep putting water on the building.

Headquartered in McCook, Neb., Kugler is a regional manufacturer and supplier of liquid fertilizer products, with plant locations in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Iowa. According to the company’s website, the Sterling plant produced ammonium thiosulfate fertilizer.

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