NEW FERTILIZER PLANT OPEN IN MAINE
Published online: Apr 25, 2012
Fertilizer
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FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine-Cavendish Agri Services' new $5.7 million (USD) fertilizer plant and mixing system in Fort Fairfield, Maine, is now officially in business to service growers in Maine and New Brunswick.
"Strategically located in the heart of our potato-growing regions, this new investment greatly enhances our ability to service the increasingly complex nutrient needs of growers with a highly efficient, 300-ton-per-hour plant," said Robert Irving, President of Cavendish Agri Services, at the grand opening ceremony. "This means that our customers can count on Cavendish Agri Services more than ever to meet their need for speedy, reliable and precise fertilizer blends, even in periods of high demand."
Maine Governor Paul LePage congratulated the company for its new investment in Maine.
"The State of Maine welcomes this major investment by Cavendish Agri in our agricultural infrastructure. In behalf of the Aroostook agricultural community, we recognize the foresight of Mr. Robert Irving and the entire Cavendish team for their leadership in building a state of the art facility in Fort Fairfield to ensure efficient, accurate delivery of product to growers on both sides of the border."
"Innovation and productivity are the keys to survival in today's global markets. We're pleased to see the continuation of the longstanding partnership between growers and the Cavendish Agri team. This longstanding partnership will enhance the competition of growers in this region," said Walter Whitcomb, Maine's Agriculture Commissioner.
The Fort Fairfield plant is the first fertilizer plant to be built in Maine in many decades and one of the largest in New England. The process equipment-called Declining Weight Blend System-delivers unsurpassed accuracy and blending speeds. Compared to older plants, it will dramatically reduce the time required to fill a typical 16-ton farm truck from 35 minutes to four minutes. The plant is equipped to source raw materials used to blend the fertilizer products from suppliers worldwide.
Its current supply chain spans North America with suppliers in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and New Mexico.
"This investment underscores our commitment to grow along with our customers in Maine and New Brunswick and to meet their ever-changing needs for high-yielding, high-quality crops," said Mr. Irving. "At J.D. Irving, Limited, we are proud of our 60-year history of doing business in Maine and we are proud of our growing presence in U.S. agriculture."