Rock Valley, Iowa — Three agriculture coops in northwest Iowa are considering unification.
United Farmers Co-op based in George, Farmers Elevator Coop, based in Rock Valley, and Coop Elevator Association, based in Ocheyedan are looking at the move. We talked with Farmers Elevator Coop General Manager Mark Finck, who explains the difference between the term “unification” and the term “merger.”
He tells us why they’re looking at unification.
He says the move just makes sense to him.
Finck says eleven meetings are being held throughout the areas of the three companies, and the findings of the different committees are being reviewed.
He says the meetings wrap up on Wednesday, April 1st, and then the vote will be taken.
He says on April 20th, the companies’ auditors will count the votes. And, says Finck, it’s important that everyone make an informed decision and vote. He tells us why.
Finck shares with us the proposed new company name and leadership structure.
He says while they will not be closing any locations, the head office would be in Rock Valley. Each of the three companies were formed over 100 years ago, with the oldest — Farmers Elevator Coop in Rock Valley — being formed in 1899. He says that’s one of the reasons Rock Valley was selected as the location for the head office.
Finck says no employees would be cut in the move, and everyone’s job is safe.
The new company would have over 20 locations, including two in Minnesota and one in South Dakota. For more information, including meeting times and locations, you can contact any of the local locations, or visit the companies’ websites.
www.farmerselevatorcoop.com
www.ceacoop.com
www.unitedfarmerscoop.com
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