Leading Agricultural Corporations Approve Merger

Written by Tyler R. Etter

On August 24, 2015, the owners of United Suppliers, Inc. and Land O’Lakes Inc. agreed to the merger of the two corporations. United Suppliers will merge with Land O’Lakes’ crop inputs business. According to the press release, the aim of the merger is to “create a single, relevant and competitive system of independent agricultural retailers.”

Land O’Lakes is a leading member-owned cooperative, with operations spanning from farm production to consumer foods. The company conducts business in all 50 states, and in over 60 countries. United Suppliers is a customer-owned wholesale supplier of crop protection inputs, seed, and crop nutrients. The company is comprised of 600 dealers operating 2,800 retail locations.

Chris Policinski, President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, stated that the merger will allow both companies to continue to meet consumer needs, while combining their resources to better compete in an environment of “consolidating suppliers and competitors.” The first step of the merger will bring the seed and crop protection operations of United Suppliers and Land O’Lakes’ WinField US, LLC. Following this, the two companies’ crop nutrient businesses will merge.

Customers are anticipated to benefit from expanded product offers, enhance services, tools, technologies, improved product insight, consulting, and more.