Agrium Inc. Announces Division Headquarters (Crop Production Services) and Advanced Technologies Division in Loveland, CO
Loveland, Colorado (July 10, 2009) – Agrium Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC), the City of Loveland and McWHINNEY are pleased to announce two divisions of Agrium Inc. plan to locate at Centerra in Loveland, Colorado. Within the next five years, the total number of Agrium employees in Loveland will be more than 400.
Agrium Inc. will establish the headquarters of its retail business unit, Crop Production Services (CPS), in a new 80,000 square foot build-to-suit Class A office building at Centerra scheduled to open in June of 2010. In addition, Agrium will move the headquarters of Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT) division into 22,500 square feet of the Rangeview Three building between the 3rd quarter of 2009 and the 3rd quarter of 2010.
“Our recent acquisition activity has significantly expanded our geographic base and our product diversity, which offers an opportunity to leverage strengths of several business units,” reported Richard Gearheard, President Agrium Retail. “We are excited to be establishing our headquarters office in Loveland. The Centerra area offers our employees an ideal selection of amenities.”
In May 2008, Agrium Inc. finalized the purchase of UAP (United Agri Products) of Greeley, Colorado to create the largest agricultural crop inputs retailer in North America with annual sales of nearly $8 billion.
Agrium Advanced Technologies is the leader in producing and marketing controlled-release nutrients, micronutrients and plant protection products for sale to the agriculture, professional turf, and ornamental and specialty markets primarily in North America. They are at the forefront of environmentally friendly fertilizer technologies and also provide effective pest control solutions.
Agrium Inc. was voted “Best Place to Work” in 2007 and 2008 by Calgary Inc. magazine. Agrium was also voted one of the top 40 employers in Alberta by Mediacorp Canada for the fourth consecutive year.
The first phase of the AAT Tenant Improvements have commenced in the Rangeview Three building and are being constructed by Brinkman Construction. The divisional headquarters facility for CPS is slated to break ground on July 13. RNL Design is the Landlord’s Architect for the new building, and Delta Construction is the Landlord’s General Contractor. Box Studios is the Tenant’s Architect and UGL-Equis is the Tenant Representative on both projects.
Quote from the Mayor of Loveland
“This is a significant announcement for Loveland and the broader Northern Colorado community,” said Loveland Mayor Gene Pielin. “We are pleased to have a company of such high caliber choose our city, and we look forward to a long term partnership with them as they serve the needs of their customers in North America.”
Quote from NCEDC
“NCEDC has been working on this project since August of 2007, and we are very excited Agrium chose to remain in Northern Colorado to establish their retail headquarters and bring the Agrium Advanced Technologies division to our region” said Michael Masciola, Vice President of NCEDC. “Their continued investment in Northern Colorado will keep and/or create over 400 primary jobs and more than 1,000 support and construction jobs in our region.”
Quote from Chad McWhinney
“Agrium’s mission is to provide ingredients for growth. McWHINNEY is honored to partner with Agrium, Agrium Advanced Technologies, and Crop Production Services in this mission by creating a world-class divisional headquarters at Centerra that meets their needs for today and for the growth of tomorrow. The Centerra and entire Loveland community warmly welcomes their 300+ employees, and together, we look forward to a bright future.”
Approximately 420 jobs in total between both divisions are expected over the next five years with aggregate annual payroll in excess of $27 million.
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About Agrium
Agrium Inc. is a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in both North and South America and a leading global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products. Agrium produces and markets three primary groups of nutrients: nitrogen, phosphate and potash as well as controlled release fertilizers and micronutrients. Agrium’s strategy is to grow through incremental expansion of its existing operations and acquisitions as well as the development, commercialization and marketing of new products and international opportunities.
About McWHINNEY
Headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, McWHINNEY is a team of talented people who are passionate about creating great places for people and providing fabled experiences to our customers. We develop innovative and sustainable master-planned communities and award-winning vertical commercial and mixed-use projects. Since 1991, McWHINNEY has planned and developed more than 6,000 acres in several master-planned communities and over 3.6 million square feet of vertical commercial and mixed-use properties throughout the Rocky Mountain region and on the West Coast. For additional information, visit www.mcwhinney.com.
