Total Grain Marketing (TGM), a venture of GROWMARK Inc., Illini FS, South Central FS, and Wabash Valley Service Company announce the acquisition of grain assets from The Andersons Inc. in Champaign, Illinois.

“The Andersons facility and assets in Champaign complements TGM’s existing portfolio,” said GROWMARK Grain Division Executive Director Matt Lurkins. “Our goal is to deliver an unsurpassed customer experience through local grain market expertise along with merchandising flexibility to help deliver increased profitability for customers.”

The site has more than 16 million bushels of storage capacity making it the largest grain elevator by upright storage in Illinois.

“We opened the grain elevator at Champaign in 1968 and grew a loyal customer base by concentrating on strong relationships and providing extraordinary service," said Bill Krueger, president of The Andersons Trade and Processing. "We value the relationships that have been built and are pleased that these customers will continue to be served by Total Grain Marketing. This sale represents a step in optimizing our portfolio in support of our ongoing strategy to be the most nimble and innovative North American supply chain company in the ag industry.”

The Andersons will continue to own and operate the bulk fertilizer business in the Champaign complex.

“This new location is right in the heart of our territory,” said Illini FS General Manager Kory Kraus. “Total Grain Marketing will give great opportunities to the shareholders of Illini FS. This will be a welcome addition to our trade territory.”

The acquisition also opens a new rail market for TGM, expanding access to poultry markets throughout the United States.

TGM is a full-service grain company offering various grain marketing options to meet the grain demands of producers and consumers. Established in 2006 as a venture between Effingham-Clay Service Company (now South Central FS), GROWMARK Inc., and Wabash Valley Service Company. TGM operates 41 elevators, nine of which are MID-CO Commodities branch offices with a total of 11 licensed brokers, to provide service and recommendations in the futures markets.

Eight of the 41 locations operate on the CN, CSX, WATCO, INRD, and UP railroads. Combined, these locations have the capability to hold 375 rail cars and load out over 1.3 million bushels per day. These facilities ship grain to the southern poultry market, Gulf region, and to states of Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, and New York.

TGM’s facilities have been buying grain since the mid-1940s. TGM is now one of the largest non- multi-national grain companies.