Blue Seal Feeds is negotiating to buy IL Richer, a deal that would include the Central bridge feed mill along with two others.
Blue Seal hopes to purchase all of IL Richer’s upstate assets within 30 days.
The Central Bridge mill is located within an Empire Zone, which would make Blue Seal eligible to apply for tax and other benefits if linked with job creation.
“It’s going to be a great thing. Great for us, great for farmers, great for the local community,” said Jim Schultz, operations manager in Central Bridge.
Fifteen people, including two part-timers, work at the Central Bridge mill; seven work in the processing plant, while the rest include truck drivers, sales, and service staff.
“Blue Seal is excited to add Richer Feeds to our organization,” said company President Randy Schwalke in a written statement.
“The combination of the two companys’ strengths will continue to ensure that the Northeast dairy industry will have a supplier who provides the high-quality products and services that they have relied on for 140 years.”
IL Richer, headquartered in Sangerfield, is a major manufacturer and supplier of dairy feed products and services to the Central and Eastern New York market.
It got its start in the late 1800s in New Berlin; today it’s led by John Mitchell, the great-grandson of Irving L. Richer, and owns and operates feed production facilities in Sangerfield, Adams Center, and Central Bridge.
“My family has taken great pride in serving the New York agriculture community for over a century,” said Mr. Mitchell in a written statement.
“It’s very important to us to find the type of organization that shares our core beliefs of dedication to our employees, customers, and communities.
“Blue Seal has that same commitment and the strength to continue to grow and develop for many years.”
Blue Seal Feeds is headquartered in Londonderry, New Hampshire and got its start in manufacturing horse feed in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1868.
Today, it’s a major manufacturer of dairy feed for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
Blue Seal also produces and distributes feed for horses, pets, wild birds, and lawn seed and related products.
No sale price has been disclosed.