Rosenort, Manitoba-Rosenort Agro Ltd. has entered into a joint venture agreement with Agrico Canada Ltd./Ltée, Mississauga, Ont., one of its fertilizer suppliers. Agrico has purchased 50 percent of Rosenort’s shares from owners Chuck and Rudy Brandt. Joining in the share purchase agreement is Dennis Benjamin, current general manager. Benjamin will remain as general manager, and the Brandts will continue as active consultants. “Our customers will not see any differences in the way the business is run,” said Chuck Brandt. “All the services and products we have always offered will still be available, but Agrico is bringing some enhancements to the business that will benefit our customers now and in to the future. When Rudy and I were considering the future of Rosenort Agro, we placed a high value on the future of local ownership. The partnership with Agrico accommodates this very well. Agrico is a company committed to partnership with local management.” The Brandts’ father, Levi, started the business selling petroleum products in the 1940s, and eventually became an Esso agent, selling fertilizer and crop protection products. It was incorporated in 1978 and became an independent dealer supported by suppliers Agrico and J.R. Simplot Co. Chuck and Rudy eventually assumed responsibility for the entire business. Agrico, which just celebrated its 75th anniversary, runs a network of warehouses and offers fertilizer products via company-owned retail locations and joint venture partners.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain