GROWMARK and Legacy Farmers Cooperative are excited to announce they are forming a joint venture to purchase and operate a grain facility west of Defiance, OH.
Together, GROWMARK and Legacy Farmers Cooperative will form a new Retail Grain Unit called Apex Grain Marketing, LLC which will purchase the facility from Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.
The facility is a fully automated 2.5 million bushel upright storage capacity grain elevator and 1.3 million bushel pile capacity that loads 90 car CSX trains. Inbound dumping capacity is 40,000 bushels per hour, and load-out speed is 60,000 bushels per hour. The facility was built in 2013 and it sits on just under 120 acres, providing room for expansion.
“Two strategic objectives identified by the GROWMARK Grain Division’s 2025 strategic plan are to enhance partnerships with our members and grow into new geographies,” said GROWMARK Grain Division Executive Director Matt Lurkins. “Apex achieves both objectives. Northwest Ohio is a new geography for Apex, GROWMARK, and Legacy Farmers Cooperative to provide grain storage, handling, and marketing opportunities.”
“We are excited for this new chapter of growth with Legacy Farmers Cooperative and the opportunity for Apex to work cooperatively and make a positive impact for agriculture in Northwest Ohio,” added Legacy Farmers Cooperative CEO Mark Sunderman.
Legacy Farmers Cooperative and GROWMARK will both have investment in Apex Grain Marketing, LLC and Legacy Farmers Cooperative will provide management services to Apex. Apex will be governed by a board of directors consisting of both GROWMARK and Legacy Farmers Cooperative representatives.
The acquisition is expected to be finalized on September 1.
