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Company focuses on value-added supply chain to the feed industry in the Southeast U.S. and Asia-Pacific markets
Gaffney, S.C. – May 1, 2014 –Wilbur-Ellis Company’s Feed Division, a marketer and distributor of value-added feed ingredients for the aquaculture, livestock and pet food industries in North America and Asia-Pacific, announced today that it has acquired Allied Premium Protein (APP), a division of Brown Packing Co., Inc. APP services the domestic and international livestock industry with high-end animal protein meals. The acquisition is an integral part of the Feed Division’s strategic geographic expansion plan.
“Our Feed Division has grown significantly over the last decade, and we plan continue to make substantial investments in this area,” said John Thacher, president and CEO of Wilbur-Ellis. “This acquisition is an exciting investment that is highly aligned with our long-term growth strategy for our Feed Division. APP shares our dedication to quality, and its business will allow us to source the best possible ingredients for customers in this geography, as well as create tremendous opportunities for Wilbur-Ellis in Asia because of its proximity to the inland port in Greer and the ports of Charleston and Savannah.”
“We’ve consistently been creating and growing our business where we can add value along the animal feed supply chain, and APP enables us to service a much larger customer base, as well as bring quality assurance, from trusted resources, to our customers,” said Rob Fullerton, president of the Wilbur-Ellis Feed Division.
“This, coupled with working alongside the team at APP, with their deep industry knowledge and commitment to integrity and safety, will help us grow our market share and bring a steady pace of sustainable business growth.”
The acquisition of APP is a strategic complement to the continued eastward expansion of the Feed Division in North America. The division has added marketing offices in Wichita, Kan., Raleigh, N.C., Richmond, Va., Guelph, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In recent years, Wilbur-Ellis has invested substantial resources in improving its supply chain operations, and focusing on important issues including product safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and risk management. The company is also addressing new regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act, all part of a strategy to not only be a reliable supplier for ingredients, but a knowledgeable resource for expertise and information.
“Wilbur-Ellis brings a significant advantage to our existing business through their network, and they share our commitment to integrity, quality, and supply chain safety,” said Jim Brown, president of Brown Packing Co., Inc. “We’re excited and ready to fully embrace Wilbur-Ellis’ leadership, guidance and operational standards, and we look forward to working with the Wilbur-Ellis team to grow the business and explore new opportunities.”
Brown Packing Co., Inc. will continue to operate its beef operation located in Gaffney.
“Our commitment to our customers, employees and community remains unchanged, and we expect the sale of APP to afford us opportunities for growth in our core business,” added Brown.
For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com