The Brandt Group of Companies is expanding in the U.S., buying a 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant and equipment from Kongskilde Industries A/S.
The plant, located in Illinois in the Bloomington-Normal area, had been owned by Kongskilde Industries, a Denmark-based maker of agricultural equipment owned by CNH Industrial.
The acquisition represents Brandt’s first manufacturing venture in the United States.
“This is a world-class manufacturing facility and we are delighted to add it to other recent major investments in Canadian centres such as Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Fort St. John,” Brandt president, Shaun Semple, said in a release.
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The Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington, Illinois, reported that the plant would eventually employ 300 to 500 people.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced the company will be forgiven $1.1 million in future state income taxes as part of Illinois’ EDGE credit program. There are also local property tax incentives.
The paper reported Brandt is required to hit benchmarks including 50 local employees next year and 300 in 2024 to receive property tax abatements.
The Bloomington-Normal facility is situated on 40 acres of land and is equipped with the latest tooling, including a modern powder-coat paint line. It will be used by Brandt to produce agricultural equipment for the American corn and soybean markets.
The deal with Kongskilde is expected to close Dec. 15.
Brandt wants to grow aggressively in Canada and around the world, with a goal of having $5 billion in annual revenue by 2025.
