Cargill and Golden Growers Cooperative (GGC) have reached agreement on a joint venture in ProGold LLC, owner of a corn wet milling facility in Wahpeton, ND, along with the 510 acres of land on which the facility sits.
Cargill and GGC will each retain 50% ownership in ProGold upon buying out American Crystal Sugar Company’s (ACSC) 51% equity stake.
Cargill has leased and operated the Wahpeton corn wet milling facility since 1997.
“This strategic partnership combines the strengths of both parties, paving the way for long-term reliability and viability of corn-based ingredients to supply our customers,” says Mike Wagner, managing director for Cargill’s starches, sweeteners and texturizers business in North America.
“We’re proud of our team members who have been instrumental in the success of this operation and our long-standing partnership with ProGold and the local corn growers for the past 25 years. We look forward to exploring new growth opportunities for the facility, including attracting co-location partners to the site.”
The 240,825 square-foot Wahpeton corn wet mill will continue to be operated by Cargill. The facility employs approximately 185 people, employees and contractors combined.
Cargill contracts with approximately 1,500 local corn growers, enabling the facility to grind approximately 90,000 bushels of corn daily to produce animal feed and food ingredients that are used in baked goods, beverages, dairy products and confectionary goods.
The team is committed to workplace safety, protecting and conserving the environment and giving back to the community.
Cargill currently owns and operates five other corn wet mills across the Midwest: Nebraska – Blair; Iowa – Cedar Rapids, Eddyville, Fort Dodge; Ohio – Dayton.
“We believe this agreement with Cargill offers a bright future for our members,” says Mark Harless, Golden Growers Chairman.
“Our agreement signals a long-term commitment to the Wahpeton community, employees of the facility, and corn producers. For the past 28 years, American Crystal Sugar Company has been our trusted partner. We are so thankful for those years and look forward to a new chapter for ProGold, LLC and Golden Growers.”
For his part, American Crystal Sugar Company CEO, Tom Astrup, said American Crystal has enjoyed a long, successful partnership with Golden Growers Cooperative and through ProGold, with Cargill. "This transaction allows us to focus our efforts on our core business strategies," says Astrup.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of February.
Golden Growers Cooperative (GGC) is an agricultural cooperative representing 1,500 corn growers in Minnesota and the Dakotas,
