“This extends our business into a broader market, creating a vast network across the entire province of Alberta,” said Daren Kennett, founder of Hi-Pro Feeds.

Champion Feed Services operates feed-manufacturing facilities at Barrhead, Grande Prairie, and Westlock, and also sells farm and ranch supplies. It also operates an oat-processing facility — Champion Oat Processors — in Grande Prairie, which markets triple-cleaned oats and oat groats throughout North America.

Hi-Pro Feeds, headquartered in Okotoks, manufactures and distributes high-performance animal feed in North America. It has 12 individual feed mills with operations spanning three U.S. states and three western Canadian provinces. Over 70 per cent of its 438 employees are shareholders in the company.

The acquisition of Champion Oat Processors ties in nicely with the North American business for Hi-Pro Feeds, said Kennett.

“There are some great opportunities for the Hi-Pro business in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona,” he said. “Our customers have been asking for these high-end products, and now we can include them in our offering.”

Champion Feed Services employees have been offered jobs with Hi-Pro Feeds. The expected closing date for the acquisition is Nov. 2.

The post Hi-Pro Feeds strikes deal to buy Champion Feed Services appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The company is taking “the next step in our growth strategy” after improving its manufacturing capabilities, delivery systems, and customer support following its acquisition of Viterra’s North American feed business in April 2012, said Daren Kennett, Hi-Pro founder and senior vice-president.

Southern Alberta is a key market and farmers there are leading the way in producing high-quality meat and dairy products, he said.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that livestock producers in the region receive the highest-quality animal nutrition and expertise in the market,” said Kennett. “Over $4 million has been invested into the Hi-Pro Lethbridge facility in the past three years allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality products for all species of animals in a cost-effective, efficient manner.”

The New-Life feed mill permanently closed on Dec. 1, with its feed customers now being served by the Hi-Pro facilty. Three New-Life employees, including feed mill general manager Jassen Jackman, have joined Hi-Pro.

Okotoks-headquartered Hi-Pro Feeds has 12 feed mills in Western Canada and three U.S. states serving more than 5,000 customers. More than 70 per cent of its 438 employees are company shareholders.

The post Hi-Pro buys and closes New-Life Mills feed plant in Lethbridge appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.