Acquisition means more efficiency says Hensall CEO

Monday, July 23, 2012

by DAVE PINK

The Hensall District Co-operative (HDC) has taken over the Stratford area grain- and soybean-handling facilities that had been run by the Timmermans family.

“We’ve been expanding into the grain business for years, and this was really attractive to us,” said Earl Wagner, the co-op’s chief executive officer. “With more volume comes more efficiency.”

Timmermans Elevators had greatly expanded its facilities in recent years to meet increased customer demand. The operation can receive 43,000 bushels per hour, dry 3,000 bushels per hour and store approximately 2.9 million bushels of commodities. As well, it has a world class edible soybean processing plant and markets high quality soybeans to Japan and Southeast Asia.

Timmermans Elevators will now operate under the name of Timmermans Elevators, Division of HDC. It had been owned and operated by Andy Timmermans and Dan Deloyer, and Wagner said there are no plans to change business operations.

HDC is a farmer-owned co-operative based in Hensall. Established in 1937, with 4,000 members it is the largest independent agricultural co-operative in Ontario. It is involved in commodity sales and exports of high-quality bean and food-grade soybeans to more than 40 countries. As well, it offers elevator services and sells fuel, crop products and animal feed at outlets throughout southwestern Ontario.

The co-op employs more than 300 people and registers annual sales of about $328 million.

This will be the co-op’s first venture in Perth County — a move that a company news release called  “a positive strategic initiative for our farmer-owned agri-business. It provides more volume and efficiencies to remain competitive in the global identity-preserved soybean market.” BF