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Three Companies Form Ardent Mills, A Flour Milling Joint Venture In Denver, Colorado

07/17/2013
Ardent Mills, an independent flour milling joint venture of three parent companies, Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra Foods, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Cargill and St. Paul, Minn.-based CHS, will make Denver, Colorado its headquarters.

Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Office said the joint venture transaction is anticipated to be complete in late 2013. The new company is expected to have a presence in the Denver area starting in 2014, contingent upon final approval of incentive packages.

Ardent Mills will take advantage of the combined assets, capabilities and experience of ConAgra Foods, Cargill and CHS to bring innovative flour and grain products, services and solutions to the marketplace. The company’s operations and services will be supported by 44 flour mills, three bakery mix facilities and a specialty bakery, all located in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, state officials said.

“Ardent Mills is an excellent fit for Colorado and will bring benefits to both rural and urban areas of the state,” Hickenlooper said. “We want to welcome Ardent Mills to Colorado and we look forward to helping them tap into one of the nation’s top workforces and our vibrant agriculture community that includes leading agricultural research institutions.”

Ardent Mills will also benefit as well from an existing strong Colorado presence with ConAgra Mills’ mill facilities in Commerce City and Denver, where the company makes innovative flour products such as Ultragrain. ConAgra Mills also has extensive relationships with wheat farmers, industry organizations and universities in Colorado.

“Colorado has unique advantages in the agriculture industry,” said Ken Lund, Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “We have a talented workforce, an innovative and pro-business climate and offer a company like Ardent Mills a strong and inclusive statewide industry network made up of partners, higher education, research institutions and business leaders that can uniquely and effectively support them with their efforts and ensure their success.”

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