DeBruce Grain sells bean plant operation

DeBruce Grain Inc. of Creston recently sold its bean plant operation to CHS Inc. — a leading energy, grains and foods company based in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

DeBruce officials said Wednesday “it’s been a real easy transition” so far for the 32 employees at the Creston facility, and no jobs will be lost during the process.

Officials also said DeBruce will continue to act as a purchasing agent for area producers and source more than 9 million bushels of soybeans to the CHS plant. The crude soybean oil from Creston will be shipped to the CHS soybean refinery in Mankato, Minn., where it will be further processed for human consumption.

“Soybeans grown in southern Iowa provide a higher protein component, desired by many of our domestic and international customers,” said Tom Malecha, CHS vice president of protein sales.

CHS supplies baking, snack and other food ingredient markets and industrial customers with soybean oil, soy flour, textured vegetable proteins and soy-based analogs.

CHS Inc. is the nation’s leading cooperative, owned by farmers, ranchers and co-ops across the United States. It’s a diversified energy, grains and foods business and a Fortune 100 company. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services.

The company also operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.