Ag Growth Industries of Swift Current, Sask., has bought one of North America’s largest grain auger manufacturers.
Westfield Industries, a 50-year-old family-owned business that builds augers, employs about 150 people at its Rosenort, Man., plant and distribution centres in Saskatoon and Fargo, North Dakota.
The augers are carried by 1,400 North American dealers and are sold internationally.
The price was not disclosed.
In a news release, Westfield president Frank Plett said he accepted Ag Growth’s offer because he wanted to ease out of the business toward a less hectic life.
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“What made our decision easier was the fact that the new people came from a successful, family-owned, hands-on business much like ours,” Plett said in the release.
Rob Stenson, Ag Growth president, said the Westfield line will fit with his company’s grain handling equipment.
Ag Growth owns Batco Industries in Swift Current, which makes belt conveyors, Wheatheart Industries in Saskatoon, which makes accessories including a self-propelled grain auger, and Victory Combine Pickups also of Saskatoon.
Westfield will become a division of Ag Growth and the products will retain the Westfield name.
“We were growing and needed more manufacturing resources and a larger, established dealer network,” said Stenson.
“Westfield is a larger company than ours with a very successful history.
“The marriage of portable grain augers, belt conveyors and grain handling accessories opens a whole new area of development with worldwide potential.”
Stenson will move to Manitoba to be in charge of the Rosenort plant.
The companies said the Rosenort factory will add some new products almost immediately.
The Plett brothers, Oliver, Stan, Benjamin and Frank, will continue with the company in interim capacities to help smooth the transition to the new owners.
Ag Growth has been a publicly traded company on the Canadian Venture Exchange, but is in the process of returning to its private roots. Shareholders recently approved an offer of $1.25 in cash for Ag Growth common shares and $1.50 for preferred shares.
