(Press Release) Quincy, MA, August 27, 2012– Bay State Milling Company announced today that it is acquiring T.J. Harkins Basic Commodity Brokers, Inc. and subsidiaries, a supplier of natural, nutritious and flavorful ingredients for grain-based foods. T.J. Harkins is a leading supplier of sesame and edible seeds, sweet spices, ancient grains, specialty grain flours and grain blends headquartered in Bolingbrook, IL with a sales office in San Francisco, CA and a distribution facility in Miami, FL.
T.J. Harkins and Bay State Milling are both focused on providing nutritious and affordable ingredient solutions for grain-based foods. The combination not only provides a secure supply chain and comprehensive product offering to customers of both organizations, but also synergy of technical expertise across a wide range of product applications and ingredients, including the high quality and distinctive flours and grain-based blends that Bay State Milling has provided for more than a century.
“The Bay State acquisition of T.J. Harkins will bring an unrivalled platform of grains, edible seeds, specialty flours and organic ingredients to the market. We feel this union provides the perfect legacy in the continuation of our Company’s values and vision” says Dan Collins, President and CEO of T.J. Harkins. Collins will become Executive Vice President of Business Development at Bay State Milling and will play a leading role in growing the company through the development of ingredient solutions for key customer accounts.
The combination of T.J. Harkins' organic subsidiary, H.P. Schmid/Organic Planet, and Bay State Milling's position as a leading miller of organic wheat, durum and spelt will create a comprehensive portfolio of organic ingredients including sesame and edible seeds, cinnamon, ancient grains, grain blends and a wide range of organic flours.
“Bay State Milling’s strategic intent is to be the preferred partner and provider of specialty solutions for grain-based foods. Adding the TJ Harkins’ product line, sourcing capabilities andtalent to our growing list of offerings will accelerate our realization of that goal. In addition, our shared values associated with customer intimacy, employee engagement and nutrition provides a solid foundation for innovation and growth” says Pete Levangie, President and COO of Bay State Milling Company.
The acquisition will be completed on August 31, 2012.
About Bay State Milling Company
Bay State Milling Company has proudly provided exceptional flour and grain-based products since 1899. The company has a strong health and wellness focus and a commitment to be a leader in grain-based foods through investments in employees, specialty flour milling and custom blending capabilities. For more information on the company, visit www.baystatemilling.com or call 1-800-553-5687.
