AgroPages-Land O’Lakes, Inc. and United Suppliers Complete First Step of Merger-Agricultural news

−− Merger of the two companies’ seed and crop protection businesses has closed

Oct. 13, 2015

Land O’Lakes, Inc. and United Suppliers Complete First Step of Merger

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Land O’Lakes, Inc. and United Suppliers, Inc.’s seed and crop protection businesses are merged recently. The new entity will do business as Winfield US. The member-owners of both organizations overwhelmingly approved the merger in August, setting the stage for the close.

Under the merger, which was announced in June, Ames, Iowa-based United Suppliers, Inc. will join Arden Hills, Minnesota-based Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s crop inputs business. A second step will merge the crop nutrient business.

“As we launch Winfield US, our shared mission remains the same as it’s always been—to enhance our owners’ capabilities and help them compete,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. and chairman of the combined business’ board. “We are merging because we’re focused on our owners’ future. By coming together, we now offer the full range of solutions to help independently owned and controlled agricultural retailers compete and win in an environment of growing national retail chains.”

The merger builds on the recent successes of the two companies and aims to support a competitive system of independent agricultural retailers. Customers are expected to benefit in a number of ways, from the advantages the combined organization’s size and scale provide in negotiating to expanded product offerings, enhanced decision agriculture tools and technologies, improved product insights and more. The merged organization will continue to approach and serve customers to meet their needs and help them succeed as independent agricultural operations in an environment of consolidation.

In 2014, WinField had $4.9 billion in seed and crop protection product sales, and United Suppliers had $2.6 billion in crop protection, seed and crop nutrient sales.

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