Heritage Cooperative Inc. is exercising the option to purchase the feed, grain, agronomy and retail assets of Witmer’s Feed and Grain Inc. of Columbiana, OH.
This includes Millstone Farm and Garden and the Witmer Feed, Edge™ and Show It™ Feed brands that are licensed and currently selling throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and Maryland.
Witmer’s Feed and Grain was established in 1978.
Acquisition continues diversification, enhances feed production, operations
“This proposed acquisition aligns with our goal of continued diversification of the business, while specifically enhancing feed production and operations throughout Ohio and in surrounding states,” said Jeff Osentoski, president, and CEO of Heritage Cooperative.
“The Witmer Feed and Grain management team runs a terrific business and the company’s employees operate it superbly," continued Osentoski.
"I am confident that the addition of the feed, grain, agronomy and retail operations will benefit Heritage and Witmer customers immediately,”
Mike Witmer, president of Witmer’s Feed and Grain, Inc., is excited to continue to serve Witmer’s Feed and Grain customers and to provide additional opportunities for employees.
“Our vision and values align well with Heritage and together we will provide superior customer service and efficiencies with this strategic alignment," said Witmer.
The acquisition is expected to close on June 30, 2022.
Multi-year project to increase storage at Kenton location
In related news, Heritage Cooperative recently announced the start of a multi-year project to provide enhanced grain services to customers at the Kenton, OH, location at 13118 State Route 31.
The $12 million project will extend over the next three years and will provide improved grain services and storage through state-of-the-art technology, enhanced logistics, automated systems, CSX track extension to accommodate 100-car unit train and a 1 million-bushel bin addition, ultimately providing 4.4 million bushels of storage capacity at this facility.
Phase one underway
Phase one of the project is currently underway with restoration of current concrete silos.
Over the next two months, two new grain scales will be installed, one each for inbound and outbound traffic, relocation of the grain probe, and implementation of CompuWeigh technology to provide improved traffic flow and faster service for grain customers, especially during harvest.
Phase two will begin in fall 2022
Phase two of the project will begin in fall 2022 and includes the installation of a new grain drying system, designated wet space with the construction of a 1 million-bushel grain bin, a new top express conveyor and automation systems to provide efficiencies and improved effectiveness for the overall operations.
This phase will be completed in spring 2023, and subsequent phases will follow.
“We have been working on this solution for a while and are excited about the immediate benefits this will provide to our growers. We know how important expediency is when growers need to unload their grain during the busy harvest season,” said Osentoski.
“This project, with all its advancements, also positions us well for the future.”
