Cargill Acquires Owensboro Grain
Photo by Josh Murphy
Cargill, Incorporated, a privately-held corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, acquired Owensboro Grain Company (OGC) in late 2022. After the addition to its North American agricultural supply chain business, they have confidence that Owensboro is a perfect fit.
Founded in 1865, Cargill is the largest privately-held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue. The global food corporation is proud to hold a solid position in the industry.
As the parent company acquired Owensboro Grain, one thing did not change— the commitment to being a family-owned business that gives back to the community.
Leading the integration work is Don Camden of Cargill. With 40 years of experience, Camden says with confidence that Owensboro Grain is a perfect fit.
“Our values match up very closely, taking care of people and being involved in the community,” Camden said.
Appreciating the rich tradition of excellence at Owensboro Grain, Cargill upholds the same values that customers have come to expect from OGC.
“We have a lot of customers that both of us did business within the past. Culturally, we are a family-owned company, much larger scale, but still driven by family,” Camden said.
The addition of Owensboro Grain Company also lines up with the objective of modernizing and increasing their capacity across the North American oil seeds network.
“Owensboro Grain and Cargill have had a business relationship for a long time—we have known the organization very well, and John Wright, specifically, for a number of years,” Camden said.
A lot has changed in terms of production since Owensboro Grain opened in 1906. The fifth-generation company started as a small grain merchant, and evolved through the years to a fully-integrated soy processing facility.
As far as what makes Owensboro a perfect fit for the expanding industry of Cargill, the company has upheld years of excellence.
“We will keep the entity, Owensboro Grain,” Camden said. The employees are Cargill employees, but the farmers are still doing business with Owensboro Grain.”
While Camden did business locally in the early 2000’s, he has been in Owensboro every other weekend during the integration, and can sense the value of community here.
“I traveled quite a bit over the last few years. I have enjoyed meeting people— that’s the best aspect of the business,” Camden said.
As the demand for renewable resources continues to increase, the industry will keep growing.
“Business has changed immensely—it’s become a global business. We are seeing an increase in the amount of soybean crushing for renewable fuel.”
Under Cargill, OGC will maintain dependable relationships with customers both locally and nationwide.
“They’ve always had a great reputation in terms of as a customer we have bought from and with farmers. They had a good reputation we have always respected and appreciated,” Camden said.
Not only did Cargill find value in the community itself, Camden says they have been impressed by the employees who help run the business.
“They have a great group of people operating the plant. They have been very accommodating—they are willing to learn from us and us from them. It’s a good match.”
