By Elaine Rassel
In case you hadn’t already heard that Alceco and FCA (First Cooperative Association) were considering merging, there is some truth in this. It was in December of 2020 that a study was voted on by both boards to determine if there would be future opportunities for both organizations if a merger was offered. The study showed there would be future opportunities for both. Both boards made the decision to merge with a membership vote following. Members will receive information describing the voting process via mail. A final decision of this merger could be determined by the end of June of 2021.
This merger would be of “equals”. The merger would have the joint business venture becoming the leading cooperative in northwest Iowa. This would provide significant advantages to members of both organizations. Employee growth and development would be expanded as well as employee enhanced benefits.
Merle Lyons, FCA general manager, was appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) focusing on the 32 grain and agronomy facilities. Troy Upah, current Alceco Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was named as CEO of the combined organization. The legal entity will be in Cherokee but the combined organization will maintain home offices in Cherokee and in Albert City due to office space requirements and employee locations.
Both organizations had early starts in their history of operations. FCA is said to be the oldest continuously active cooperative elevator in the nation. Farmers Cooperative Elevator of Marcus was incorporated on December 12, 1887 and changed its name to FCA in 1997. There are 20 locations in northwest Iowa that are provided products, services and expertise in agronomy, energy, grain and feed by FCA.
Alceco was formed in 1905 and is an Iowa cooperative based in Albert City, Ia. Through its solely owned subsidiary, Ag Partners, LLC, this organization provides products, services and market access in the areas of grain, agronomy, feed and petroleum. Alceco’s locations include 17 retail and wholesale agronomy outlets, grain/petroleum facilities and feed mills through out Iowa.
Changes are happening all the time to businesses changes that will make them a better business is what is hoped. There will be an article at a later date on the history of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator (FCA) in the Marcus News.