VANCOUVER, WASH. — Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition, a manufacturer of agricultural products, animal nutrients and specialty ingredients, entered an agreement to acquire F.L. Emmert, a supplier of animal nutrition solutions, on June 30.

"Emmert's capabilities are a great fit for the nutrition business, bringing greater balance and diversification to the division's portfolio,” said John Buckley, president and chief executive officer of Wilbur-Ellis. “The acquisition also supports the company's broader strategy to continue building on our position as a leading agriculture and food company in North America."

Founded in 1881, Emmert is a family-owned company with manufacturing facilities in Cincinnati and more than 35 employees. The company manufactures brewer’s yeast, proteins, vitamins and amino acids for the pet food and animal feed industries. According to Wilbur-Ellis, Emmert has strong R&D capabilities.

"We look forward to welcoming the Emmert team and we're excited about the capabilities this acquisition provides," said Matt Fanta, president of Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition. "Emmert supports [Wilbur-Ellis] Nutrition's strategic priorities and complements our three core businesses — pet, livestock and aquaculture.

"The acquisition will expand our product and customer base in pet food with value-added products,” Fanta added. “We also see great potential for Emmert's research and development capabilities — which complement our own and can be leveraged in the future across the division, including the livestock and aquaculture businesses."

As one of the largest family-owned companies in the United States, Wilbur-Ellis shares Emmert’s long-term goals and business values of integrity, diversity, effort, accountability and service.

"Wilbur-Ellis has a long history of growth through acquisition," Fanta said. "And in every case, having similar values has been an important consideration. With that in mind, we look forward to having such a strong, value-based organization like Emmert become part of the Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition business."

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