US nutrition supplier buys fish feed producer
United States feed ingredients supplier Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition has expanded its aquaculture offering by acquiring Rangen, Inc, a long-established aquaculture and general feed production company with production facilities in Buhl, Idaho, and Angleton, Texas.
“Rangen is a strategic fit,” said Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition president Andrew Loder.
“It significantly expands our aquaculture business, immediately giving Wilbur-Ellis a nationwide platform from which to expand in one of the fastest-growing markets in the global feed industry.”
Trout, salmon and shrimp
Rangen’s aquaculture business includes the production of high-quality feed for fish – including trout, salmon and shrimp.
The company employs approximately 80 full-time employees at its headquarters and plant operations, and they will continue in their roles at their current locations.
Rangen was founded in 1925, with its aquaculture division established in 1950. Rangen president Chris Rangen said: “Throughout our history, a major advantage has been the experience, knowledge and customer commitment of Rangen employees. As this business becomes part of Wilbur-Ellis, I know these same strengths will propel the business to even greater growth. That’s good for employees and the customers they serve.”
Ambitious growth
Loder, a former executive with feed giant Cargill, added: “An organisation like Rangen and its team will help us maintain our deep commitment to safety and deliver on our ambitious growth, value and innovation goals. With our combined strengths, we will achieve our vision of being the innovative leader in the marketing and distribution of animal nutrients.”
Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition generates over $500 million in sales revenue annually and has over 30 locations across the US, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.
It is part of Wilbur-Ellis group of companies, international marketers and distributors of agricultural products, animal nutrients and specialty chemicals and ingredients, which have a combined $3 billion turnover.
Wilbur-Ellis was established in 1921 as a small import-export brokerage trading company in San Francisco, with a focus on trading fishmeal and fish oil.
