Hemisphere Ltd. has announced that it has entered into a contract for the purchase of the Warner Fertilizer Co.
Based in Somerset, KY, Warner Fertilizer Co. (WFC) was originally founded in 1965 with a philosophy “to provide a quality product with outstanding service at a fair, competitive price.”
WFC is the largest, locally owned independent fertilizer retailer in Kentucky and has been recognized nationally by Crop Life Magazine as a “Top 100 Dealerships” for the past 27 years.
A Pulaski County resident since 2012, entrepreneur and Hemisphere CEO Demetrios Haseotes is looking forward to continuing Hemisphere’s expansion in the agribusiness sector. Hemisphere already owns Midland Farms, a large New York-based fluid dairy processor, and recently announced plans to re-envision the future of diesel energy production at its Somerset-based Continental Refining Company operation – using regionally-sourced soybeans to create biodiesel in addition to a host of other soybean byproducts. Haseotes is also a Pulaski County Ag Farmer growing corn silage.
WFC is the manufacturer of the “WARNCO” brand fertilizer, servicing farmers and agriculture across Southern Kentucky. Typical customers are income-producing cropland farmers, utilizing fertilizer products and services from planting through harvest.
Products sold are bagged as bulk fertilizer, crop protection products, field seeds, seed corn, and farm supplies. Over the past five years, WFC has supplied an average of 31,000 tons of fertilizer to local farmers in production of various cropland throughout the region. Services offered are custom application, spreader/no-till rental, custom/pasture, soil testing and agronomic consultation.
Hemisphere’s long-term strategy is to design and adopt value added products and services into WFC’s existing offerings, including the addition of products to serve new farm and garden clients as a “one-stop” source. WFC’s locations will be designed for optimal product visualization and placement, with selling space inside and outside each of its facilities.
Beginning in 1972, WFC understood the need to be near their farming clients and began opening branch locations that have now expanded to 11 locations servicing over 13 counties. Most location’s sales are within a 10–15-mile radius. The Somerset location ships products into Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
WFC currently employs approximately 55-58 full-time employees year-round. During peak season, WFC employs an additional 20-25 seasonal employees. Total wages and benefits over the previous five years average $2.1M. Many of the employees have been associated with the company for 20+ years.
About Hemisphere Ltd. LLC
Hemisphere Limited is a management company headquartered in Somerset, Kentucky which has evolved from years of extensive experience in creation and maintenance of assets in many businesses.
About Warner Fertilizer Co.
Warner Fertilizer Co. has been providing superior quality fertilizer, crop protection products, seed corn, soybean seed, small grains, field seed and turf seed for customers in southern Kentucky since 1965.