On Oct. 26 Italpollina realized the culmination of its vision of natural biostimulants, organic fertilizers, and beneficial microbials by formally dedicating its new production facility in Anderson, IN. “Who could have known five years ago that we could be opening a plant here in the United States?” Luis Bonini, the company’s CEO, asked while speaking at the dedication ceremony.
Jon Leman, Italpollina’s Commercial Vice President, echoed the remarks. “The energy I’m feeling at this grand opening today is the same that we’ve felt here at Italpollina these last five years,” he said.
As a company, Leman said, Italpollina can trace its origins to 1971, when it was founded as a supplier of organic pelletized fertilizer sourced from chickens. “That’s why our company logo is a rooster,” he explained.
From this base, Italpollina has steadily expanded its product offerings and country reach over the past 47 years. Today the company does business in 80 countries around the globe, providing customers with organic fertilizers, beneficial microbials, and 100% vegetal-based biostimulants.
As for Leman, he first joined Italpollina when it was entering the U.S. marketplace in 2015 after spending 15 years with Wilber-Ellis Co. Since then he has worked to help Italpollina expand its U.S. presence by branching out with new product offerings. This has included partnering with agrichemicals supplier Albaugh on seed treatment and in-furrow applications (which, he added, are now used in Europe).
Anderson Connections
Regarding building its new facility in Anderson, Italpollina worked very closely with the city’s legislative leaders, including Mayor Thomas J. Broderick Jr. “We thank Italpollina for bringing this $10 million project to our area. It’s a first-class operation from top to bottom,” Broderick said at the dedication ceremony. “The company is a global leader in the field of agriculture, and this plant puts the city of Anderson right back into the mix of this global economy.”
The plant features 70,000 square feet, with plenty of space to expand, inside and out. “It features two production bays — one which makes 100% plant-based products in peptide form and the other for micronutrients and blending,” Leman said. “Being operational should help us expand more deeply into both of these areas as the 2019 growing season gets underway.”
Speaking of 2019, while Italpollina may be finished with this phase of its growth in the U.S., Bonini foresees more on the horizon. “This plant, as impressive as it is, is only the first phase of our plans to expand the Italpollina name around the world,” he said. “In Phase Two we will be adding on another building that will feature a unique technology and products that we will export worldwide from Anderson. So our commitment to agriculture is stronger than ever, and will keep growing going forward.”
