Star of the West Milling Co

Star of the West Milling Co. to acquire Brown Milling, Inc.

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (January 17, 2022) – Star of the West Milling Co. today announced it is acquiring Brown Milling Inc., a grain handler and agronomy supplier headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, MI.

“This acquisition bolsters key capabilities for Star of the West while further expanding our presence in our home state,” said Jim Howe, president and CEO of Star of the West Milling Company. “Brown Milling and Star of the West share much in common, starting with a commitment to Michigan’s farmers and to our employees. Today’s announcement positions Star of the West to continue the world-class service that Brown Milling Co. has been known for across central Michigan.”

“After 56 years of service to Michigan agriculture and careful consideration by the Brown family, we have decided to place Brown Milling, Inc. in the hands of another longstanding Michigan business, Star of the West Milling Company,” said Ron Brown, President of Brown Milling, Inc. “Our two companies have served our respective customers and employees with pride, and this match will keep central Michigan agriculture moving forward.”

This acquisition is the second announced by Star of the West in recent weeks. The company announced Dec. 9 it is acquiring Charlotte-based Citizens LLC.

Star of the West and Brown Milling have worked together since the early 1980’s, sharing a joint interest in what was Northern Star Minerals, Inc., a fertilizer distribution company. They have achieved success in many of the same areas, including wheat handling and marketing, crop nutrient supply and the use of agronomic technology.

Brown Milling started in 1965 when Ed Brown acquired a mobile feed grinding business, growing it over the years as a family enterprise and expanding into the fertilizer business in 1970 at its Delwin location. The acquisition of Rosebush Feed & Grain in 1983, Superior Fertilizer in 1987 and Shepherd Elevator in 1991 positioned Brown Milling as the go-to agricultural services provider in Central Michigan.

“Brown Milling has strived to be the best full-service farm supply provider for our customers while also providing the finest service, and I have no doubt Star of the West will carry forward this tradition,” said Brown. “Our family is proud of our company’s legacy, with Ed Brown purchasing a little mobile feed business and growing from there. He started a family journey that has been both challenging and rewarding. We are sure that he would be happy with the choice we have made here.”

Star of the West is a 151-year-old company with headquarters in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It began as one flour mill, and now operates five mills in four states including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and New York. The company has expanded from its flour roots to include five agronomy locations, thirteen elevators for receiving crops, dry bean and food-grade soybean processing facilities.