The Andersons, IB&M Inc. Forge Strategic Agreement for Michigan Grain and Malting Facility
Independent Barley & Malt Inc. has proposed a commercial scale grain processing and barley malting facility in Litchfield, Michigan, and is planning to break ground on the project in April of this year. The facility will be a 47,500-ton-per-year malting plant, using more than two million bushels of malting barley and other grains to supply distillers, craft brewers, and specialty food manufacturers.
The last large-scale malting plant in the state closed more than 40 years ago, effectively ending barley production in the state, and forcing Michigan’s craft brewers to ship in more than $100 million in malt from out-of-state-suppliers.
In support of the new facility, The Andersons has agreed to source, supply, deliver, and store malting barley for the Litchfield location. Under the terms of the deal, The Andersons will be the exclusive supplier to the plant, providing grain from existing supply chains. Over time the company will work with local farmers to establish a reliable local supply of malting barley within the region.
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