North Dakota-based Talc USA sees majority interest bought by Brandt

Brandt, an agriculture retailer and manufacturer of specialty ag products, has acquired a majority interest in Talc USA. Based in Page, North Dakota, Talc USA develops, manufactures and markets talc-based and related AG products that increase plant yield and improve soil health.

This acquisition will give Brandt new lines of agricultural products and technologies that will complement the company’s broad portfolio of nutrition and plant health products. The transaction closed Dec. 31.

“I am excited about this transaction,” Rick Brandt, president and CEO of Brandt, said in a news release. “Steve and Lori [Johnson] have built a terrific company that shares our values: We both believe in maximizing plants’ potential and increasing farmers’ ROI through good science, quality products and world-class service. We are thrilled to welcome Talc USA into the Brandt family.”

Founded in 2008 by Steve Johnson, Talc USA has grown to provide products nationwide and to Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and South Africa. Along with its flagship talc products, the company offers a range of micronutrients, microbials and inoculants. In addition, Talc USA has developed a proprietary mixing system that is simple for farmers to use and helps drive a solution-approach to product applications.

“We can’t wait for our family to join the Brandt family,” said Steve Johnson, founder of Talc USA. “This transaction makes us part of a global organization, providing certainty for our employees and enabling us to continue to grow the business and serve our farmer customers.”

Talc USA will operate as a Brandt company, part of the company’s Specialty Formulations business unit under the direction of EVP Bill Engel. All Talc USA employees will be retained and Talc USA management will continue to operate the company day-to-day.

Talc USA was founded on the belief in helping the American farmer increase revenue per acre by fortifying products with new technology and keeping its products 100% made in the USA.

Through research, investment, and partnering with its knowledgeable dealer network, Talc USA continues to bring new and innovative products to the market.

The company is based in Page, North Dakota. For more information, visit Talc on the web at www.talcusa.com.

Brandt serves growers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt.

For more information, visit Brandt on the web at www.brandt.co.