The Brandt Group of Companies announced the acquisition of the U.S. manufacturing plant and equipment of Kongskilde Industries A/S. The state-of-the-art, 200,000 sq. ft. facility, located in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., was previously used to manufacture agricultural equipment for the U.S. market.

The facility is situated on 40 acres of land and is fully equipped with the latest tooling, including a modern powder-coat paint line.

Brandt will use the facility to produce agricultural equipment for the U.S. corn and soybean markets. Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2018, with employment planned to hit 300 within five years, according to the announcement.

"We are very excited at the prospect of saving this plant from closure," Brandt president Shaun Semple said. "This is a world-class manufacturing facility, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the growth of the American economy."

Brandt, headquartered in Regina, Sask., has maintained a growing presence on the Canadian manufacturing scene since 1932 and currently sells its products in more than 20 countries worldwide. This acquisition represents the company's first manufacturing venture in the U.S., the announcement noted.

The deal with Kongskilde is expected to close Dec. 15, 2017.

The Brandt Group of Companies is comprised of Brandt Agricultural Products, Brandt Engineered Products, Brandt Equipment Solutions, Brandt Road Rail, Brandt Developments and Brandt Tractor. Brandt has 50 locations in Canada and the U.S. and nearly 2,000 employees and serves the agriculture, forestry, rail, mining, construction and tube/pipe industries with custom products.