BRANDT Acquires Specialty Formulations Manufacturing Plant in Parana, Brazil
New factory will massively expand production capability for BRANDT’s proprietary input technologies
Springfield, Illinois (20 July 2020) –BRANDT, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of specialty agriculture products, has acquired a factory for producing its specialty formulations products in Brazil. The acquisition—and subsequent plant renovation—represents a multi-million Real investment.
The 22,000 m² factory is located on approximately 7 hectares (70 thousand m²) of land, in the metropolitan region of Londrina (PR). The site will ultimately house multiple assembly lines, significant finished product storage, a quality control lab and an experimental station for research and development of new products.
The factory is expected to be active in two years. The investment, according to BRANDT do Brasil president, Wladimir Chaga, quadruples BRANDT's production capacity in the country. The company will keep its plant in Olímpia (SP) active, which is strategically located for access to the Cerrado and the Port of Santos.
“In Olímpia, we will focus on dry products, while the new plant will be the hub for other, more specialized, products in our portfolio. This important investment will allow the manufacturing, on Brazilian soil, of foliar fertilizers with American technology,” explained Chaga.
The investment will initially generate at least 100 direct jobs. The work has already started and the forecast is for completion in 2022. BRANDT estimates that the production capacity of the new unit is up to 20 million liters per year.
BRANDT do Brasil’s headquarters are located in Londrina (PR), a few kilometers from the new factory. "With more production capacity, in addition to providing more solutions for the Brazilian market, we will also expand our technical and commercial teams," projects Chaga.
BRANDT has been in the country for five years and continues to invest despite the global pandemic. In the United States, the company was founded in 1953 and has been successfully manufacturing inputs for different crops. A specialist in plant nutrition, the company is already present in more than 65 nations, with innovative technologies that have contributed to world records for soybean and corn productivity.
“This is a huge leap forward for BRANDT in Brasil,” said Rick Brandt, CEO & President of BRANDT. “Our goal is to move as much production for the Brazilian market to the local plants. We are deeply committed to Brasil and our Brasilian customers. We aim to position ourselves for long-term growth and success in the country and across South America. This new plant will help us do that.”
The new plant will be dedicated to Glen (GB) Brandt, BRANDT’s founder. GB passed away peacefully at 94 in June 2020. He visited the BRANDT do Brasil team in Sao Paulo on his last international trip in 2018.
About BRANDT
A leading agricultural company, BRANDT serves growers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply.
