Indiana company purchases former DuPont Pioneer plant

Beck?s Hybrids, an Indiana-based seed corn production company, has purchased the former DuPont Pioneer production facility in Mt. Pleasant. The 62-acre, fully operational site will provide Beck?s with seed processing capabilities, expanded warehouse space as well as sales and agronomic support, company officials said.

Pioneer announced last spring that it was closing its plant in Mt. Pleasant. Approximately 40 workers were employed at the plant when Pioneer announced the closure.

?We?re excited to bring the Beck?s culture to Iowa farmers through the acquisition of the Mt. Pleasant facility,? said Scott Beck, vice president of Beck?s Hybrids. ?As a family-owned seed company, serving farmers is not only our job, but a passion that drives us each day.

?The purchase of the Mt. Pleasant facility is a reflection of our commitment to Iowa farmers and our dedication to providing them with the best choices in genetics and traits,? Beck added.

Located just off Grand Avenue on Mt. Pleasant?s northeast side, the facility features more than 105,000 square feet of warehouses, 500,000 bushels of bulk storage capacity, three double-pass dryers, several offices and machinery storage.

Company officials said that as Beck?s continues to grow, employees will be hired to fill needs at the facility.

?We are very pleased to welcome Beck?s to Mt. Pleasant,? said Mt. Pleasant Mayor Steve Brimhall. ?As America?s largest family-owned, retail seed company, Beck?s commitment to farmers and local communities is a perfect fit for southeast Iowa.?

Beck?s has been testing and evaluating corn hybrids in order to now supply farmers with high-yielding products that are designed for their soils. Through its extensive and rigorous selection process, Beck?s has produced some new and impressive corn, soybean and wheat products.

Mt. Pleasant joins Marshalltown as Iowa sites with Beck?s plants. In 2014, Beck?s is testing about 3,000 hybrids in 11 locations in Iowa.

?More and more farmers are relying on Beck?s for their seed needs,? explained Sonny Beck, president of Beck?s. ?As we deepen our roots in Iowa, our dealers and seed advisors are dedicated to providing farmers with localized service. It is just another way that we are continuing our mission to provide our customers with the best in seed quality, field performance and service.?

Beck?s serves farmers in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa and Missouri. Beck?s, headquartered in Atlanta, Ind., is the sixth largest seed company in the United States and the only one among the top six that is family owned.