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Archer Daniels Midland Selects Chicago For Its Global Headquarters And Customer Service Center

12/18/2013
A company that converts crops such as oilseeds, corn, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses, Archer Daniels Midland Company selected Chicago, Illinois, as the location for its global headquarters and customer center.

“While we considered other global hubs, Chicago emerged as the best location to provide efficient access to global markets while maintaining our close connections with U.S. farmers, customers and operations,” said ADM Chairman and CEO Patricia Woertz. “Chicago also provides an environment where we can attract and retain employees with diverse skills, and where their family members can find ample career opportunities.”

“In keeping with our intention to establish our global center in a cost-effective manner, we expect to locate a small corporate team of about 50 to 75 employees in the new center,” Woertz said.

In addition, Woertz noted that the company will now evaluate alternative sites for its new Information Technology and support center, where it expects to locate about 100 new IT jobs. The company said it will continue to consider potential locations for the IT center in several states and expects to make a decision by mid-year 2014.

Woertz noted that one of the options the company considered was a comprehensive plan that would have established both a larger global headquarters and the information technology center in one location and included state government support and multi-year commitments to stakeholders. However, that plan could not be realized within ADM’s timeframe. “We decided to move forward in the way that best meets our organizational objectives,” Woertz said.

ADM will continue to have a significant presence in Decatur, which will be designated the company’s North American headquarters. The company does not plan any layoffs in connection with the move to a new global center. “We appreciate the interest and support expressed by many civic and governmental leaders as we have considered a variety of options for our new global center,” Woertz said. “We look forward to finalizing the selection of a site in Chicago soon, and to accelerating the selection of a suitable location for our IT center.”

"I am pleased to welcome ADM to Chicago and I look forward to the company's continued success out of their new home," said Mayor Emanuel. "As I said throughout this process, our goal was to put the city's best foot forward and highlight Chicago's strengths: an outstanding workforce, globally renowned transportation and infrastructure, and excellent quality of life. These strengths will help ADM as it continues its growth in the future just as they continue to drive our economy forward every day."

The Mayor’s Office said, throughout the several month process, Mayor Emanuel worked directly with the firm and marshaled all of the city's economic development entities toward the goal of attracting ADM, including World Business Chicago and the city's Department of Housing and Economic Development.

"As mayor, I've said that Chicago provides many incentives to businesses with our talent, our transit system and airports, our business climate, and the support that our government provides to the business community," the Mayor added. "I wanted to personally make sure that all of this was on display for ADM and that we took nothing for granted. We were successful in keeping the company in Illinois and I think they'll thrive in Chicago."

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