Olam to buy U.S. peanut sheller for $176 million

摘要

Olam International Ltd., an agri-business operating in 65 countries, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in Smithville, Ga.-based Mc-Cleskey Mills, Inc. for $176 million. McCleskey Mills is the third largest peanut sheller in the United States with a market share of approximately 12% and an annual capacity of approximately 250,000 farmer stock tons. The company owns processing facilities at two locations in Georgia, and owns or manages 20 buying points and farmer stock storage assets in the Southeast region. The company operates in the snack, peanut butter and confectionery space. Olam is no stranger to the U.S. peanut industry. The company has been operating in the industry since 2007 through its acquisition of Universal Blanchers L.L.C., which specializes in toll blanching and ingredient manufacturing of peanuts. Universal Blanchers has four manufacturing facilities located across the U.S. peanut belt in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina.