Hello Nature and MPS Egg Farms announce selection of Wabash, Indiana as site for $50 million specialty fertilizer manufacturing facility

Date:03-02-2022

Hello Nature, a global leader in organic fertilizers, biostimulants and microbials, has partnered with 6th-generation Indiana business MPS Egg Farms to form a joint venture that will make a nearly $50 million investment in Wabash, Indiana to construct and operate a specialty fertilizer manufacturing facility.

The joint venture, Bionutrients, will combine high-quality raw materials and cutting-edge technologies.  Bionutrients will employ 46 people and construct two facilities totaling nearly 300,000 square feet to be built at 1555 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, IN 46992.  The partners will break ground this spring, with the facility fully operationally in the summer of 2023.

This facility will expand Hello Nature’s Indiana presence and complements its two facilities in Anderson, Indiana.

“By expanding our offerings into Indiana’s growing organic farming sector and supporting a sixth-generation, Hoosier-owned business, we couldn’t be more excited to join this partnership,” said Ann Lathrop, executive vice president of global investments for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “As we work to sustain our local communities, we continue building on our strengths of manufacturing and agribusiness, which allows us to connect locally, regionally and globally. Hello Nature’s investment in Wabash County is impressive, and we’re excited to see the impact it will have for Hoosiers and our state.”

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the IEDC committed an investment in Hello Nature Specialty Fertilizers of up to $490,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.

“We believe that this new production facility will be a turning point for the North American market,” said Luca Bonini, Hello Nature’s CEO. “Today the fertilizer industry undergoes multiple challenges such as rising prices, logistics issues and shortage of inputs, and there is a desperate need for innovative solutions to feed a growing population with less inputs and less land available. Our facility will ensure a regular production of sustainable fertilizers to help North American farmers achieve their yield goals. We are honored to partner with MPS and the Krouse family in this important project.”

The project will also enhance MPS operations in and near Wabash.  “MPS is excited to partner with Hello Nature to bring their expertise to Wabash. After a thorough review of potential sites in two states, we determined Wabash was the most attractive location and allowed us to expand at home,” said Dan Krouse, vice president of operations at MPS Egg Farms. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to make this investment and hire more Hoosiers in Wabash County.”

“We are honored that Hello Nature and MPS Egg Farms have chosen the City of Wabash as the location for their new joint venture, Bionutrients.”  Wabash Mayor Scott A. Long said.  “Wabash County has always been a strong center for agribusiness and manufacturing, and this investment is the perfect marriage of the two, continuing the legacy of innovation in our community.”