Cargill has secured a deal to acquire two animal feed mills from the bankrupt Pennfield Corporation in the US for US$9.8m.
Cargill said today (18 January) that the deal for the mills, located in Mount Joy and Martinsburg in Pennsylvania, follows a court-led auction and should be complete by 21 January. Pennfield filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US last October.
"The deal not only expands our footprint in the region but it also provides us with additional capabilities and opportunities to serve new customer segments and enhance our offerings," said Cargill's Northeast group director, Rob Sheffer.
News of the deal comes only a day after Cargill said it would mothball its beef processing plant in Plainview, Texas, from 1 February. Up to 2,000 jobs at the plant could be affected and workers will receive company support, Cargill said yesterday.
Cargill's beef business president, John Keating, said the decision was not taken lightly, but he added: "Given the over-capacity that exists with four major beef plants in the Texas Panhandle and a dwindling supply of cattle in the region, idling Plainview will allow Cargill to operate its other beef plants in Texas, Colorado and Kansas more consistently on a five-day-per-week basis."
He said that Cargill's long-term commitment to beef processing is "unwavering".
Cargill completes asset purchase agreement of Pennfield Corporation
Customers to benefit from Cargill's increased Northeast presence
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill today announced it has secured the winning bid to complete the acquisition of two animal feed mills from Lancaster, Pa.-based Pennfield Corporation for $9.8 million in a bankruptcy proceeding. The acquisition will be finalized Jan. 21, 2013, and Cargill will assume ownership.
Under terms of the agreement, Cargill acquired Pennfield's animal feed mills and associated assets located in Mount Joy and Martinsburg, Pa. To facilitate the sale of its assets, Pennfield filed voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in October 2012.
Cargill's preliminary bid was filed with the bankruptcy court on Dec. 28, 2012. The judge then set a court date of Jan. 17, 2013, to allow for a simultaneous live auction of other bids received during the interim time frame and a confirmation of the ultimate bid which would provide the best combination of fit and value for the secured creditors in the bankruptcy estate.
"We are thrilled to add Pennfield's state-of-the-art facilities and knowledgeable employees to the Cargill family," said Rob Sheffer, group director, for Cargill's Northeast region. "The deal not only expands our footprint in the region but it also provides us with additional capabilities and opportunities to serve new customer segments and enhance our offerings for existing customers in the region."
Jennifer Horn, former director of administration and family member of Pennfield will join Cargill as administration team lead, where she will be responsible for overseeing Pennfield customer and employee communications. "We believe the employees and customers of Pennfield could not have received a better outcome than being part of the Cargill family," Horn said. "Cargill is not only a market leader but also a family-owned organization that shares the same values and commitment to providing the best products for our customers."
About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.
Pennfield Corporation is a 93 year old, leading supplier of animal nutrition and services over a multi-state region of the eastern United States. The company has locations in Mount Joy, Martinsburg, and South Montrose, Pennsylvania.