Hi-Pro Feeds is in the process of acquiring northern Alberta-based Champion Feed Services Ltd. in northern Alberta.
Champion operates feed mills in Grande Prairie, Barrhead and Westlock, from which it supplies livestock feeds, supplements, premixes, feed medications, pet foods and other farm supplies.
It also operates a store in Barrhead called the Back Forty, which supplies western wear and tack.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition was expected to be final by Nov. 2.
Holly Nicoll, director of marketing for Hi-Pro, said the two companies have similar values in terms of customer service and product offerings, so they are seen as a good fit.
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“We’ll take the best they have to offer in terms of some of their products and combine them with what we feel is our best product portfolio,” said Nicoll.
“It’s going to extend our network all the way through Alberta, really, from Grande Prairie down to Lethbridge now, and it’s going to provide some additional services and product offerings for our customers all through the province.”
She said Champion has a record of strong service in poultry and beef products and nutrition services, which will be an advantage for Hi-Pro.
Champion Oat Processors in Grande Prairie is an attractive part of the deal.
“We’re really excited to have acquired Champion Oat Processors because of our feed business in the U.S. and our product offering in the U.S., especially with our horse feed line and a few others with the oats and the oat groats,” Nicoll said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to add some value to our product line in the U.S. and even expand it into Mexico.”
Champion has been in business for 40 years and has 80 employees, all of whom have been offered jobs with Hi-Pro.
Hi-Pro, which is based in Oko-toks, Alta., operates mills in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma as well as Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba.
Company founder Darin Kennett said in a news release that acquiring Champion’s oat processing arm is likely to open doors.
“We are excited to have a facility that can process, market and ship double and triple cleaned oats and oat groats to our U.S. and Canadian customers,” he said.
“Our customers have been asking for these high-end products, and now we can include them in our offering.”
Gary Golby, owner of Champion Feed Services, said in the same release that the two companies will make “a great combination.”
- Feed mills in Barrhead, Westlock and Grande Prairie, Alta., including Champion Oat Processors.
- Offers variety of feeds for most livestock, plus supplements, premixes, feed medications, pet food, other farm supplies.
- In operation for 40 years.
- Based in Okotoks, Alta.
- Formed in 2012 when Viterra sold its livestock feed operations.
- Manufacturer of livestock feeds for beef, dairy, equine, poultry, hog, aquaculture, pets.
- Canadian mills in Lethbridge, Sherwood Park, Alta., Olds, Alta., Ponoka, Alta., Carman, Man., Somerset, Man., St. Anne, Man., Chilliwack, B.C.
