Canadian Company Coming to York County

Manufacturer to expand operations, create jobs here

By Melanie Wilkinson
STAFF WRITER

YORK -- Advanced Agri-Direct, Inc. of Thorsby, Alberta, Canada will be expanding their operations to York County in September.

The company is a manufacturer of concrete water bowls and a distributor of other livestock equipment.

"It is with a great deal of pleasure that we (my wife, Janet and I) announce our expansion into York," said Shaun Heldt, owner of Agri-Direct. "We have spent a few years researching the possibility of relocating to the United States and in our opinion, York is the place for us."
The company manufactures automatic water bowls for all types of livestock (farm and ranch) and exotic animals (in zoos). They participate in 60 shows annually, with 50 percent of the shows in the United States.

They also have a contract with Mills Fleet Farms to produce under their store brand. Mills Farms (comparable to an Orscheln store) has over 30 locations in four states: Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

"Our journey to Nebraska and ultimately to York, started three years ago with some contact with the State Department of Economics," Heldt said. "This led to a fantastic invitation to come to Nebraska as guests of the Nebraska Diplomats. We were treated to all kinds of Nebraska treats, like a Cornhusker game and to even meet the governor. Part of the trip was talking to people, like Merlyn Hansen, to see if the services we needed were in York. At the end of the weekend, we actually took a drive out to York to see for ourselves. From that point on, the hunt was over! We love the town and its people. We even managed to renew a 25-year-old acquaintance with Don Freeman who toured me through his plant way back when."

Why are they moving into the Heartland of the U.S.? They say because of the U.S. border being opened to Canadian cattle, the increasing cost of freight and the increased value of the Canadian dollar in comparison with the U.S. dollar.

The company will initially create five new jobs, and they will be moving a manager to York.
"The community of York welcomes Advanced Agri-Direct," says Mayor Greg Adams. "The product line, the ownership, Agri-Direct's philosophy and business plan are a great fit for York. What Agri-Direct contributes to our economic base is complimented by what York offers Agri-Direct. York looks forward to the company growing with us."

"John Hughes, the manager of the company, has been involved in agricultural business all his life," said Hansen, president of the York County Development Corporation (YCDC). "That includes with Pioneer Seed Company and he has been a cattle buyer for many years, and he will be marketing their product as well."

Heldt said their intention is to be up and running in September.

"We have discussed our product, Cancrete heated concrete water bowls, with several beef producers in the state and have received all positive feedback, so we can't wait to get up and running," Heldt said. "We will have an open house and want to say that the coffee will always be on at Advanced Agri-Direct (USA) Inc.!

"We feel compelled to mention that this article would not be written today if it weren't for the absolute dedication and promotion skills of the State Department of Economics," Heldt said. "Most of all, the help we have received from Norene Fitzgerald (YCDC director), who seems to have no end of energy when it comes to promoting York, and her staff."

"Agri-Direct is a testimony for the recruitment of a small business that will take off and grow," said Jerry Elfring, who heads up the recruitment division pf YCDC. "The owner is very motivated to grow the business and look beyond the local market to national and international markets. Economic development does not happen overnight. Here is a case where we stayed in touch with this prospect and cultivated the relationship over the last two years."

"I'm pleased they've chosen to locate in our community and county," Hansen remarked. "They are in country now that is much like Nebraska -- very agricultural -- so they will be a great fit for York County.

"They considered expanding in Canada, and it wasn't until they were entertained by a York contingency at the Diplomats event that they made their decision to expand to York. They saw we were the same kind of people they are," Hansen continued while smiling. "They could have expanded anywhere. So the score today is York, 2, Canada, 1."

Source: York News Times