Sheldon, Iowa — A large feed mill company based in Sheldon is being sold to another feed company.
Employees of Deluxe Feeds, Incorporated, which has facilities in Sheldon and Ireton, have been notified that effective October 1st, 2016, Deluxe Feeds will be sold to Kent Feeds, based in Muscatine, Iowa, according to founding owner of Deluxe Feeds, Gary Doppenberg and his son Dusty.
Doppenberg started Deluxe Feeds in 1972.
Gary and Dusty Doppenberg say they wish to thank all past and present customers, and are excited about the opportunities this transition will bring for swine, beef, and dairy producers.
The Doppenbergs are also asking that customers and industry associates continue to interact and communicate with Deluxe staff in the same manner as they have been accustomed to.
Doppenberg says that Dan Paca, from Kent Feeds, will be the General Manager for Deluxe Feeds, Inc., in addition to his current roles at Kent. He says Paca and his family will be moving to northwest Iowa this fall.
According to Doppenberg, “Deluxe Feeds, Inc.” will continue as the company name.
Kent Nutrition Group says the deal includes Deluxe’s feed mills, retail business, and Midwest EnRG Flakes operations.
“We are very pleased to have Deluxe join our family of companies as we both share a passion and long tradition for providing customers with quality products and service,” said Gage A. Kent, chairman and CEO, Kent Corporation. “Our company has always been a strong supporter of U.S. and Iowa agriculture. The acquisition of Deluxe will continue to position us well in the industry and enhance our long term ability to serve customers with trusted brands, superior customer service and competitive ingredient sourcing.”
Kent says Deluxe is a private independent company. With state-of-the-art facilities at both Sheldon and Ireton locations, Deluxe prides itself on providing quality feed products for swine, dairy, and beef producers in their service area as they continue to address today’s rapidly changing livestock needs.
“Becoming part of the Kent Nutrition Group will help us write an exciting new chapter to the Deluxe quality and service story,” said Doppenberg and his son Dusty. “Our values are so closely aligned that Kent became the obvious choice as we looked at transitioning our business for the future. It was important to us to ensure our customers received the same level of service and attention they have come to expect from Deluxe. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all of our customers for their business over the years. We are confident they will be in good hands as they continue their business relationships with Deluxe team members and our new ownership.”
Kent officials say that this transaction allows them to bolster their commercial business and regional focus by joining forces with another respected feed manufacturer in one of the top commercial animal producing regions in the country. They say this combination of resources, capabilities and a long history in the nutrition and feed industries provides an expanded opportunity to better serve customers throughout the market area. Kent promises that Deluxe customers will continue to receive quality products and services from the familiar faces at the Deluxe organization.
“We are looking forward to the new opportunities this agreement gives us to enhance our product and service offering for livestock producers and dealers in Northwest Iowa,” said John Thorpe, president, Kent Nutrition Group. “This move makes our business even stronger and allows us to share our quality story in new markets.”
