Customers to see more product diversity, increased nutritional support and enhanced manufacturing capabilities.

December 29, 2017

2 Min Read
Furst-McNess acquires Big Gain Wisconsin

Furst-McNess Co. announced Dec. 28 that it has acquired Big Gain Wisconsin LLC based in Lodi, Wis.

The acquisition became effective Dec. 6, 2017, after the companies had recently signed a merger and acquisition agreement. This agreement does not include the Big Gain Inc. business based in Mankato, Minn.

The agreement joins two already-strong livestock feed and nutrition companies into one that will be better suited to serve the needs of livestock producers in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states, the announcement said.

“Furst-McNess and Big Gain Wisconsin have unique strengths that are complementary to each other, and this agreement will allow us to truly deliver exceptional products and services to our customers,” Big Gain Wisconsin president Dwayne Schultz said. “I'm excited about how this agreement will provide Big Gain Wisconsin with a solid continuation plan for the business.”

Schultz will continue to run the daily operations in Lodi, and all staff will be retained.

Kevin Gyland, executive vice president of Furst-McNess, said he is equally excited about the agreement.

“Big Gain is known for their quality products and manufacturing excellence, and this agreement will allow McNess to fill gaps we've had in regional manufacturing, bring on exceptional talent and become even more competitive in the market place,” Gyland said. “Big Gain Wisconsin has outstanding people, and their culture is a mirror image of ours, which makes this agreement so beneficial to both companies.”

Furst-McNess president and chief executive officer Matt Heinrich sees this acquisition generating a real push in the Midwest, noting, “With the manufacturing capabilities of Big Gain Wisconsin and the livestock nutritional expertise of Furst-McNess, this acquisition creates opportunities that previously didn't exist. Everyone is extremely excited about the capabilities that will emerge from joining the two organizations.”

Big Gain Wisconsin was established in 2000 when Big Gain Inc. and Dwayne Schultz formed a partnership and opened the Lodi facility. Big Gain Wisconsin has a strong dealership network and sells livestock and other animal feed. It has about 100 employees, with manufacturing facilities in Lodi and Seneca, Wis., and a retail location in Benton, Wis.

Furst-McNess was founded in 1908 selling home products door to door and entered the livestock nutrition business in 1958. It has 250 employees and sells livestock nutritional products as well as commodities and feed ingredients throughout the U.S., Canada and selected overseas markets. Furst-McNess is headquartered in Freeport, Ill., with manufacturing facilities in Storm Lake, Iowa; Gering, Neb.; Eleroy, Ill.; Lake City, Fla., and Montezuma and Cordele, Ga., and sales offices in Johnston, Iowa, and Ingersoll, Ont.

Customers of both companies will see added benefits, including increased product diversity, nutritional support and expertise, enhanced manufacturing capabilities and other support services, according to the announcement. Existing contacts across both companies will remain the same.

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