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Brandt, Linamar Completing US, International Buys

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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Brandt grain cart. (Photo courtesy of Brandt)

The Brandt Group of Companies has announced it will expand into the U.S. market with an acquisition of a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Brandt, headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, purchased the building and equipment from Kongskide Industries A/S.

Brandt manufactures equipment for several different industries, including agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tube and pipe. Farmers would most likely know the name from grain augers, vacs and grain carts, but the company also makes harrows, grain bag equipment, movers, sprayers, track loaders, skid steers, excavators, wheel loaders and trailers.

"We are very excited at the opportunity to expand our manufacturing footprint directly into the American market," Shaun Semple, Brandt president, said in a news release. "This is a world-class manufacturing facility, and we are delighted to add it to other recent major investments in Canadian centers such as Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Fort St. John."

While Brandt has maintained a strong and growing presence on the Canadian manufacturing scene since 1932 and currently sells its products in more than 20 countries around the world, this acquisition represents the company's first manufacturing venture in the United States. It augments an aggressive growth strategy currently underway in Canada, the release said.

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The Bloomington-Normal facility is situated on 40 acres of land and is fully equipped with the latest tooling, including a modern powder-coat paint line. It will be used by Brandt to produce agricultural equipment for the corn and soybean markets in the U.S.

Another deal announced in December involving a Canadian farm equipment manufacturer was the Linamar Corporation buying the MacDon Group of Companies. Linamar is a Canadian global manufacturing company headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Farmers are probably most familiar with MacDon as the builder of draper heads for combines as well as producing hay windrowers, both self-propelled and pull-types. In addition, the company also manufactures pick-up headers for combines.

The MacDon Group has grown over the years to include MacDon Industries Ltd. (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada); MacDon Inc. (Kansas City, Missouri); MacDon Australia Pty. Ltd. (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia); LLC MacDon Russia Ltd. (Moscow); Westard Parts Services Ltd. (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada); MacDon Brasil Ltda. (Curitiba, Brazil); MacDon Enterprises (Madison, Wisconsin); and MacDon Europe GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany).

"This agreement is the result of long and careful consideration regarding what is best for the future success of the company," according to a MacDon news release.

"Many alternatives were considered as we discussed who would be the best choice to ensure that MacDon's unique culture and strengths are not only maintained, but continue to thrive. Through this transaction, it is important that MacDon employees understand that this is the outcome the MacDonald family feels is best for our employees, dealers, business partners, and customers."

Although an agreement has been signed with Linamar, the transaction is not completed until regulatory approval is given. This is planned to occur in the first quarter of 2018.

Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com

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