February 8, 2010 (Springfield, Ohio) – The members of two Ohio cooperatives have voted to consolidate the operations of Southwest Landmark, Inc. and Advanced Agri-Solutions, Inc. The new organization, Trupointe, Inc. will begin operations on September 1, 2010 to serve more than 4,400 farmer members.

“The two cooperatives are extremely complementary,” said Larry Hammond, who will become CEO of Trupointe and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Advanced Agri-Solutions. “We are looking forward to a smooth transition and are pleased our members agreed that together our cooperatives’ combined assets will result in a stronger co-op for our members.”

Together, Advanced Agri-Solutions and Southwest Landmark operate 45 facilities in 26 Ohio and 3 Indiana counties. Advanced Agri-Solutions business is strong in grain marketing and feed, while Southwest Landmark brings strong agronomy and energy expertise. In addition, the new cooperative will sell petroleum and turf products.

“The service territories are adjacent, so it is unlikely any branch locations would need to be closed due to the consolidation,” said Gordon Wallace, CEO of Southwest Landmark, who will become Chief Operating Officer of Trupointe. “It was important as we began this process that we preserve jobs for our more than 500 full- and part-time employees who on average have been with us for 20 to 25 years, as long as they want to be part of our future.”

In addition to the approval of the consolidation, members approved Hammond as Trupointe CEO and Wallace as COO. Also approved by the membership, the new board of directors will be made up of five board members from each existing cooperative board and will be selected by the boards themselves.

 “The consolidation means more resources and expertise for our members, more grain delivery destinations, more buying power and more market share,” said farmer and Southwest Landmark Board President John Waymire. “This is a win for our farmers’ future.”

Before Trupointe begins operations in September, a number of steps need to be taken:
·       Complete and file legal and financial paperwork
·       Establish internal working groups to study operational efficiencies and blend corporate cultures
·       Keep up regular communication with employees, members and customers
·       Establish a consistent Trupointe brand identity

“We have a lot of work to do in the next few months, but I’m confident the employees and management of both organizations will make this process as seamless as possible,” said farmer and Advanced Agri-Solutions board president Chris Schroer. “We are excited about the possibilities ahead of us.”

A cooperative is a non-profit business founded upon the basic principal of ownership by the people it serves. Members, producers, consumers and employees all have a close association with the cooperative, sharing strengths and weaknesses to create a level field for potential growth and success.

Advanced Agri-Solutions formed in 2007 as a result of the Auglaize Provico, EMP, and Minster Farmers, which date back to the early 1920s. Southwest Landmark was formed in 2000 as a result of the consolidation of Agri-Urban, Clinton Landmark, Clark Landmark and Ag Tech consolidation, which have histories dating back to the 1930s.

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Note to Editor: For more information, visit the consolidation web site at http://www.creatingourfuturetogether.com or see Fact Sheets.