Kansas Ag Connection - Cargill Protein Headquarters to Remain in Kansas

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Cargill Protein Headquarters to Remain in Kansas
Kansas Ag Connection - 05/25/2016

After collaboration with the State of Kansas and the City of Wichita, Cargill has announced that it will retain the location of its protein business headquarters in Kansas.

"We embarked on a mission to identify the optimal location where the people responsible for the success of our business will have the best opportunity to thrive," said Cargill Corporate Vice President for the company's protein group, Brian Sikes. "After an exhaustive review of our options, a collaborative atmosphere evolved whereby Cargill, the City of Wichita and State of Kansas worked together toward creating the type of business environment that will enable the company to meet its customers' long-term needs by enhancing our ability to attract, retain and develop top talent."

For several months, the Department of Commerce and the Governor have worked with the City of Wichita and Cargill to ensure Cargill would remain in Wichita.

"We are pleased that Cargill will continue to call Wichita, Kansas home for the foreseeable future," said Governor Sam Brownback. "This is an investment in our state, recognition of the quality of the Wichita workforce and the quality of life that can be found in Kansas. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Cargill for many years to come."

"When they decided to move, Cargill looked into several other areas of the country, but after weighing the options and working with the City of Wichita and the State of Kansas, ultimately decided to stay," said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. "The hard work put into this negotiation and its successful outcome is a testament to the quality of our state and the relationship that the state has with our businesses. We look forward to working further with Cargill on successful business ventures and helping other businesses, both in and out of the state, call Kansas home."

Cargill leadership cited the state's strategic location in the center of the U.S. and its appreciation for a dedicated workforce in making its decision to remain in Wichita. The decision depends on approval of an agreement by the City.

If approved, the company will remain in the Wichita city limits but will move to a new office building. Its location is yet to be determined. The company's move is expected to take place by the end of 2018. Cargill also recently opened a nearly $50 million distribution center at its beef processing plant in Dodge City.

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts applauded the announcement by Cargill. "Cargill is an important part of the Wichita community. I want to congratulate Mayor Longwell and Governor Brownback for fighting to keep Cargill in the city. I made sure the leadership at Cargill understood that where quality of life was concerned, there was no better home for their employees than in Wichita. We made our case, and I am pleased Cargill agreed Wichita, Kansas, is a great place to live and work," he said.

Headquartered in Wichita, Cargill Protein Group produces meat, poultry and egg products, in addition to by-products, from food animal production in the U.S. and Canada. This [$25] billion revenue portion employs approximately 27,000 people and operates approximately 30 processing facilities that produce protein products. Cargill employs more than 4,000 Kansans in the company's locations throughout the state.

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