Hi-Pro Feeds acquires Champion Feed Services

Hi-Pro Feeds has acquired Champion Feed Services Ltd., a group of companies including three feed mills, stores and an oat processing facility located in northern Alberta.
“Our goal is to make this a seamless transition for customers,” said Holly Nicoll, Hi-Pro Feeds director of marketing. “We will continue to manufacture the same [Champion] nutrition packages and products as customers have been receiving. We will take some time to listen and learn about the diverse capabilities and processes that Champion Feed Services has in place today, and incorporate the best of both companies going forward that meets the needs of our customers in this geographic region.”
The purchase also includes the assets of Champion Oat Processors, an addition that “ties nicely with its North American business for Hi-Pro Feeds.”
Hi-Pro Feeds founder Daren Kennett feels the oat side of the business will provide new opportunities: “We are excited to have a facility that can process, market and ship double- and triple-cleaned oats and oat groats to our U.S. and Canadian customers. Our customers have been asking for these high-end products and now we can include them in our offering.”
The company specifically looks to enhance its horse feed products with high-quality Canadian oats.
According to Feed International’s Top Feed Companies report, Hi-Pro Feeds ranked as the world’s 66th largest feed producer by volume. The company manufactured more than 1.5 million metric tons of compound feed in 2014.
The company operates 12 feed mills in the United States and western Canada. The Champion acquisition will expand Hi-Pro Feeds’ network throughout the province of Alberta with a total of seven mills from north to south.
“This will position us better to meet customer needs through our diverse portfolio of products and services, and manufacturing flexibility,” Nicoll said.
Hi-Pro Feeds plans to retain Champion Feed Services employees.
With the acquisition nearly complete short of a few administrative details, the final closing is expected to take place near the end of November.