Tuesday morning, Superior Ag and Premier Companies announced to formally commit to discussions regarding a potential unification. Both are headquartered in Indiana.
After a joint meeting and vote, the boards of directors share this exploration comes from a place of “strategic position of commitment to innovation and even deeper value for their farmer-members,” and not from a place of necessity.
In a statement to The Scoop, Richard Lloyd, CEO of Superior Ag said: “We are excited about the opportunity that the unification of two strong cooperatives in southern Indiana could bring. As we enter these discussions, we are focused on how this can benefit our members and strengthen the cooperative for the future.”
Next steps include a formal study to explore the potential of a combine organization. Stated potential benefits of the merger include:
- increased buying power
- better market access and consistent supply
- expanded employee opportunities
- financial cost savings
- greater reinvestment into facilities and operations
“After initial discussions, the Boards of Directors from Superior Ag and Premier see potential and clear benefits that we need to explore,” Adrian Stunkel, Chairman of Superior Ag Board of Directors, said in the news release. “Our goal with this announcement is to keep our membership updated and create an open dialogue to share information as this process progresses.”
Superior Ag Cooperative has 13 agronomy locations, six grain elevators, a state-of-the-art feed mill and feed store, and two retail fuel stations. Superior Ag also has an ownership stake in SynEnergy Partners, providing liquid power fuels and propane that is 100 percent American-refined through CountryMark-branded fuels
Premier Companies had a recent merger in 2021 with White River Cooperative. Today, it has more than 16 agronomy locations, Premier Energy division, convenience stores, and a swine division.
Fred Uhl, Chairman of the Premier Ag Board said, “Conversations with the Superior Ag Board have gone well. There are clear synergies as well as identifiable advantages to our member-owners as well as employees as we consider a possible future together.”
