Simmons Grain Company
Simmons Grain Company

Simmons Grain Company

Helping a family business achieve liquidity and maintain control.

In 1982, Jay Simmons started a drive-through feed store for farmers in Ohio. Soon after, Jay and his son Jeff built two grain bins and purchased a truck-mounted feed grinder, bringing feed directly to customers. Before long, they had their own soybean processing plant and were certified organic by the USDA.

Simmons Grain Company (SGC) grew right along with the organic food movement, becoming the leading soybean processor in the Midwest. In 2013, Jay retired and turned the business over to Jeff and Jeff’s son Eric.

The company has not stopped growing—and neither has the family. With a desire to achieve some liquidity for family-estate planning, find a partner to accelerate growth, and still maintain corporate control, SGC needed guidance. They turned to EdgePoint.


Patience pays off

We knew that dealing with a rapidly growing business can create timing issues, so we urged patience and worked with the owners to find the perfect moment to enter the market.

After a tailored competitive process, SGC was recapitalized by Stonehenge Partners. The transaction exceeded the owner’s valuation and liquidity goals and connected the business with a partner that had significant industry experience—and a desire to invest in growing the business.

Today, SGC is fully dedicated to handling and processing organic soybeans and creating organic soymeal, soybean oil, and lecithin. They remain a critical part of the organic produce supply chain.