Carolina Eastern Joins Aligned Ag Distributors Owner Roster
Aligned Ag Distributors (AAD) is adding a new owner, Carolina Eastern–based in Charleston, South Carolina.
“The Carolina Eastern team embodies the balance between independence, collaborative spirit and practical innovation that is a common thread among all AAD owners,” said AAD president Mary Tolke. “Adding Carolina Eastern, Inc. — one of the most respected ag businesses in the Southeast — to our ownership group will create new benefits for all of our owners.”
Executive vice president Butch Rodgers said becoming part of AAD — which his company will do officially on October 1, 2024 — will strengthen Carolina Eastern’s role as an independent ag retailer.
“It’s a battle sometimes to be competitive, especially in the crop protection market. In this industry, there’s strength in numbers,” said Rodgers, who describes Carolina Eastern customers as progressive family farmers in tune with the latest technology and equipment. “We feel like being an AAD owner will give us a strong arm to lean on that will put us in a more competitive situation in the crop protection market so we can not only maintain but continue to grow our business.”
Carolina Eastern is a third generation family business with 30 retail locations. It services a diversity of crops and offers products and services such as soil/tissue sampling, drone service, precision planting, and precision fertilizer and chemical applications.
“Our owners all share an independent spirit. When they’re all at the same table, they learn from each other and share a lot of knowledge that makes everyone better,” she said. “Carolina Eastern will be a welcome addition to the AAD owner team and we’re excited to have them on board.”
Lallemand Plant Care Assumes Distribution of MeloCon
Lallemand has taken over distribution of the bionematicide MeloCon, and it will now be known as Lalnix Act DC.
“We are excited to distribute LALNIX ACT DC under the Lallemand Plant Care umbrella,” said Scott Peterson, national sales director at Lallemand Plant Care. “This furthers our commitment to delivering quality microbial-based solutions that empower growers to achieve optimal crop yields sustainably.”
Key features of LALNIX ACT DC include:
- Advanced formulation that quickly and homogenously mixes with water.
- Expanded label with additional application methods, such as chemigation.
- Extended shelf-life of 2 years at room temperature
- OMRI listed
Valent Names New Vice President of Sales
Valent U.S.A. has announced John Smith as its new vice president, sales. This change took effect on July 22.
Smith previously held roles at Winfield United and Bayer Crop Science.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Smith to Valent,” said Matt Plitt, president and CEO of Valent U.S.A. “He brings extensive industry experience and record of leadership that will further strengthen our sales efforts and drive continued growth for Valent U.S.A.”
Smith will lead the sales team and direct the sales process for Valent’s products and services across North America. He will also serve as Valent’s executive lead to the customer channel, and support the global initiatives of Valent’s parent company, Sumitomo Chemical.
Marion Ag Service and Columbia Seeds Cast Supply and Marketing Consortium
Marion Ag Service and Columbia Seeds LLC have agreed to a supply and marketing consortium. The endeavor combines Marion Ag’s fertilizer technology, combination products, organics, and soil amendment offerings with Columbia Seeds’ established expertise in the seed market.
The two companies have an aligned company culture in addition to complementary supply, operational and marketing structure.
• Tom Pape, Scott Harer, and the Columbia Seeds team have a customer centric culture which mirrors Marion Ag’s Trust Driven Service mindset.
• Columbia Seeds Value Direct Link strategy couples a close association with Pacific Northwest growers and a multichannel distribution system to deliver value and savings across the supply chain.
• The collaboration provides exposure to greater seed production relationships, an opportunity for multiple agronomic product categories on a single delivery, reducing supply complexity and improving inventory metrics for distributors.
“Marion Ag’s strategic growth imperative led us to join the grass seed market in 2021. Now, as our proprietary varieties are hitting the commercial market, accessing the experience, professionalism, and collaboration of the Columbia Seeds team will further catalyze our mission. ” States Jeff Freeman, chief strategy & marketing officer at Marion Ag.
Tom Pape, vice president at Columbia Seeds added, “Combining both company’s marketing and supply efforts will generate new opportunities for our customers. I’m excited to partner with an organization that takes customer service as serious as we do.”
Each company will operate under their current structure with leadership engaging to deploy resources and relationships that will strengthen both companies’ ability to create winning opportunities in the marketplace.
