A large ethanol production plant in Juneau County is changing hands at the end of May.
United Cooperative, a Beaver Dam-based member-owned company that specializes in agronomy, feed, grain and energy products, announced its acquisition of Marquis Energy-Wisconsin in Necedah on April 15. The plant will operate as United Energy Necedah under its new owner, effective May 31.
Bill Zuhlke, United Cooperative’s vice president of member services, would not disclose the sale amount, saying the two companies are still “working through the sale.”
The facility employs more than 50 people. All employees will remain on staff when United Cooperative takes over, Zuhlke said.
“The purchase of Marquis’ Necedah ethanol plant aligns with our strategic initiative of investing in agriculture, opening new markets, and providing value-added products for our member-owners,” David Cramer, president and CEO of United Cooperative, said in a statement.
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Cramer, who has served in his role for 40 years, said acquiring the plant supports local agriculture and economic growth. He said the company plans to use environmentally sustainable methods.
Zuhlke said United Cooperative is “always looking at new technologies that can further enhance the overall productivity of the plant.”
Ethanol production plants provide market access and potential revenue for area corn farmers, Zuhlke said, adding that operations at the plant will largely remain the same when the facility changes hands.
“The sale of our Wisconsin facility aligns with our commitment to strategic growth in developing the world’s first carbon-neutral industrial complex in Hennepin, IL,” Marquis CEO Mark Marquis said in a statement. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to our valued grain customers, the supportive Necedah community, and to the incredible and talented team of employees at Marquis Energy Wisconsin for their hard work and dedication.”
Marquis Energy will work with United Cooperative for marketing and facility staff support. The facility procures 36 million bushels of corn grown in the area each year.
The facility also has a 100 million-gallon ethanol production capacity per year. Corn oil, animal feed, and dried distillers grains, a corn by-product largely used for feed, are also processed at the plant.
Marquis did not respond to requests for further comment.