RFA Ethanol Podcast

The Andersons Named ARA Retailer of the Year

Cindy Zimmerman

Joe Hodges of The Andersons; accepts awards from ARA CEO Daren Coppock, for Retailer of the Year

Joe Hodges of The Andersons; accepts awards from ARA CEO Daren Coppock, for Retailer of the Year

The Agricultural Retailers Association this week named The Andersons as Retailer of the Year for 2015. The award was accepted by Joe Hodges, Vice President of the Southern Region Plant Nutrient Group, during the ARA Conference and Expo.

“On behalf of all the employees of The Andersons – thank you for this special recognition,” Hodges said. “It’s extra special when you are recognized by your peers, and to be included in the same circle with prior winners; The Tremont Group, Willards and Morral Company, just to name a few, makes it that much more prestigious.”

The award, sponsored by Monsanto, ARA and AgProfessional magazine, honors retailers who represent the best of the industry. Retail outlets nominated for the award are evaluated based on innovative business practices, community and industry leadership, environmental stewardship, reliability, technology utilization, customer service and effective employee development programs. “Ag retailers make significant contributions to feeding the world and responsible stewardship of our natural resources,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “The Andersons is a great representative of the industry and deserving of this award.”

Headquartered in Maumee, Ohio, The Andersons operates in 20 states and employs more than 3,000 people throughout its operation. Established as a family grain business almost 70 years ago, The Andersons has grown into a diverse, publically traded corporation with several operating groups: grain, plant nutrients, ethanol, rail and retail. Although The Andersons may be a publicly traded company, its family emphasis remains. A third-generation Anderson, Mike, is the company CEO.

2015 Agricultural Retailers Conference & Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ARA