Castlen Steel has partnered with Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) — the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company — to help local farmers, create new jobs and benefit the Owensboro economy.
ADM is headquartered in Chicago, and connects crops to markets on six continents. Net sales for 2019 were $65 billion. ADM ranked No. 54 in the 2020 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with a multinational company that is not only innovative, but is also committed to taking natural products and turning them into staple foods to ensure sustainability,” said Matt Castlen, owner of Caslen Steel.
American River Transportation Company (ARTCO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADM, is partnering with Castlen for barge fleeting and cleaning to serve the Owensboro and Rockport, Indiana areas.
ADM officials said the company will also soon supply fertilizer to retail and farmer customers in the Owensboro area. They will have blending and product-coding capabilities, and will receive inbound by barge, outbound by truck and rail.
“Castlen Steel is an industry-known name and has provided services to ADM in the past. Castlen will operate the fertilizer facility, with ARTCO operating our barge fleeting and cleaning services,” according to an email from the ADM media relations team.
Opening in January of 2021, the barge side of the business is up and running. Work has begun on the fertilizer facility, and is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter.
Between the two facilities, ADM officials said they will employ about two dozen people.
“Another benefit of this partnership is the ability to bring new jobs to Owensboro. Any time you can create new positions and boost the economy is great, but it’s especially important after the hit the economy took over the last year,” Castlen said.
According to their website, “At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over.”
