“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 chief executive officer (CEO), Kent Corp.. “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.”
Deluxe, founded in 1972, is a private independent company with two primary feed mills located in Sheldon and Ireton, Iowa, U.S.
The Sheldon site has multiple plants all newly constructed. The swine/dairy plant constructed in 2005 contains two completely independent feed lines that manufacture both swine and dairy feed. The texturizing plant constructed in 2007 manufactures texturized calf feeds, and the flaking plant constructed in 2003 manufactures steam flaked soybeans and corn.
The Ireton site has a fully remodeled swine feed mill. Manufacturing capacity for swine feed (based on two shifts) exceeds 2,000 tonnes per day, between both mills.
“Becoming part of the Kent Nutrition Group will help us write an exciting new chapter to the Deluxe quality and service story,” said Gary Doppenberg, founder of Deluxe. “Our values are so closely aligned that Kent became the obvious choice as we looked at transitioning our business for the future.”
The KNG is comprised of the Kent and Blue Seal brands. This transaction allows KNG to bolster its 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, the company said.
“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, KNG. “This move makes our business even stronger and allows us to share our quality story in new markets.”
