November 26, 2022

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

I’ve recently seen a variety of announcements being made by U.S. grain companies and cooperatives in the form of a strategic business expansion, a shift in leadership, an acquisition, and an investment. And I thought I’d share them all in one place, as a roundup, if you will. 

Landus Launches Landus Conduit 

Landus, the seventh largest grain company in North America when ranked by storage capacity, announced that grain industry veteran Bruce Vernon will be joining the company’s leadership to head-up Landus Conduit, a newly launched, wholly-owned subsidiary to extend the intellectual capital and capabilities of Landus into new geographies and markets. 

Vernon joins Landus after eight years with The Equity, the largest agricultural cooperative in Illinois, where he led the organization to record sales and income.

“At Landus, we continually explore ways to bring value to our farmer-owners,” said Matt Carstens, president and CEO, Landus. “The opportunity to add someone like Bruce to our team and engage collaborating companies through Landus Conduit adds increasing value for progressive farmers looking for leadership and engagement from their strategic partners.”

Landus Conduit will work to connect progressive farmers and grain organizations with collaborators, to align agriculture, and streamline supply chains to access incremental value. These collaborations will be able to leverage new service options through the Landus GROW Solutions Center and financing to apply Landus’ core offerings through adjacent partners resulting in a range of opportunities to create more value for its farmer-owners and partnership network.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to apply my career experience and wide network to an innovative and agile company like Landus that is redefining the meaning of a cooperative,” said Bruce Vernon, head, Landus Conduit. “As we work through the possibilities for applying Landus’ core offerings through adjacent partners, we recognize numerous opportunities to create more value for our farmer-owners and partnership network. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this organization.”

Cargill Appoints Brian Sikes as President and CEO

Beginning January 1, 2023, Cargill will have a new president and CEO in Brian Sikes, who will be assuming the role from Dave MacLennan, who will continue on as executive chair of Cargill’s Board of Directors. 

Sikes will be the company’s tenth CEO in its 157-year history, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the office after growing the company’s global protein and salt business into an industry leader.

Currently Cargill’s COO, Sikes has been key in developing the company’s long-term strategy, having held leadership roles in the U.S., Canada, and the EU, and heading up the company’s Talent Center of Expertise. 

MacLennan joined Cargill in 1991, and has served in multiple roles throughout his tenure including CFO and COO before becoming chairman and CEO in 2013. Over the past nine years, he oversaw the largest acquisitions in the company’s history including bio-industrial company Croda, aquaculture giant EWOS, animal nutrition leader Diamond V, and major poultry company Sanderson and Wayne Farms.

“As Cargill continues to navigate dynamic global markets, both operational excellence and a clearly articulated vision driven by purpose and values will define the company’s success, and there is no better person than Brian to lead Cargill,” said MacLennan.

“He’s a person of action and results, with a relentless passion for serving our customers and our people. Brian has the qualities we value in a strong leader—integrity, empathy, resilience and authenticity. Under his leadership, I am confident the best days for Cargill, and its greatest contributions, lie ahead.”

The Andersons Acquires Bridge Agri Partners

Diversified ag-rooted company The Andersons announced it has acquired Bridge Agri Partners, a specialized ingredient supplier to the pet food industry. 

This deal reflects the company’s strategy goal to expand its core grain and fertilizer businesses through diversification including premium products focused on food and feed, as it strives to become the most innovative ag supply chain company in North America.

“We are excited to expand our pet food ingredient portfolio and our physical presence in the central northern region of the U.S. and Canada,” said Bill Krueger, president, The Andersons Trade and Processing. “As a trusted partner in the pet food ingredient industry for many years, we are eager to offer greater options to our customers.”

Darwin Rusu, president of Bridge Agri Partners, noted that the company is not unfamiliar with The Andersons, having worked together for many years.

“This team of skilled and experienced employees, which is among the best in the industry, has been critical to our success,” said Rusu. “Combining the market knowledge and supply chain expertise of our two companies will enhance the value we provide to current and new customers. I look forward to an exciting future with The Andersons.”

Agtegra Cooperative Invests in PNW Grain Terminal EGT

Agtegra Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative with 6,800 active members across North and South Dakota active in grain, agronomy, animal feed, farm supplies, and energy services, announced the finalization of its acquisition of a minority stake in EGT LLC, the operator of an export grain terminal in the U.S. Pacific Northwest that is fed by four high-capacity elevators in Montana. 

Through this investment, Agtegra joins Bunge and Pan Ocean America, an affiliate of integrated Korean group Harim, as partners in the terminal.

“We are very excited to become a partner in EGT to provide Agtegra customers greater access to the global market,” said Jason Klootwyk, CEO, Agtegra Cooperative. “Agtegra continues to focus on growth that expands our presence along the supply chain and this acquisition provides balance in our grain portfolio as we push farther down the export value chain.”

With the addition of Agtegra as a partner, EGT was able to expand its origination capabilities, noted Jason Gertken, president, EGT, who added, “We also look forward to working with Agtegra’s farmer members to increase opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint through regenerative ag practices.”   

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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