Cargill Protein HQ To Remain In Kansas

After collaboration with the state of Kansas and the city of Wichita, Cargill has announced that it will retain the location of its protein business headquarters in Kansas. Headquartered in Wichita, Cargill Protein Group produces meat, poultry and egg products, in addition to by-products, from food animal production in the U.S. and Canada.

Wichita Cargill
Cargill’s Wichita headquarters. (Credit: Mike Hutmacher, The Wichita Eagle)

“Looking at our current office space situation in Wichita, we determined a change is required to meet our future needs as a customer-focused, talent-seeking, growth-oriented protein business, operating in a highly competitive business sector,” said Brian Sikes, Cargill corporate vice president for the company’s protein group. “So we embarked on a mission to identify the optimal location where the people responsible for the success of our business will have the best opportunity to thrive. After an exhaustive review of our options, a collaborative atmosphere evolved whereby Cargill, the city of Wichita, and state of Kansas worked together toward creating the type of business environment that will enable the company to meet its customers’ long-term needs by enhancing our ability to attract, retain and develop top talent.”

Cargill leadership cited the state’s strategic location in the center of the U.S. and its appreciation for a dedicated workforce in making its decision to remain in Wichita. Other criteria addressed as Cargill explored its options included quality of life for its employees; minimizing disruption to the business resulting from a relocation; optimizing the use of company resources; perpetuating a culture based on marketplace agility to address the needs of customers and consumers; and creating a world-class business setting for all involved stakeholders.

“We have a terrific team of productive, knowledgeable and creative people in Wichita, who give a great deal back to the community,” explained Sikes. “We are pleased Cargill employees will remain an important part of the Wichita community and will continue to contribute to the vitality of many organizations throughout the region. We also believe it is beneficial for our protein business to be headquartered in the center of the U.S.”

The decision is dependent upon pending approval by the city of Wichita. If approved, Cargill will remain in the Wichita city limits but will move to a new office building in a location yet to be determined. The company’s move is expected to take place by the end of 2018.

Choosing Wichita

The Kansas Department of Commerce and Governor Sam Brownback worked with Wichita and Cargill for several months to ensure the company would remain in the city.

“We are pleased that Cargill will continue to call Wichita, Kansas home for the foreseeable future,” said Gov. Brownback. “This is an investment in our state, recognition of the quality of the Wichita workforce and the quality of life that can be found in Kansas. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Cargill for many years to come.”

For its protein group headquarters, Cargill explored locations throughout the middle third of the U.S. beginning in late 2015.

“When they decided to move, Cargill looked into several other areas of the country, but after weighing the options and working with the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas, ultimately decided to stay,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Antonio Soave. “The hard work put into this negotiation and its successful outcome is a testament to the quality of our state and the relationship that the state has with our businesses. We look forward to working further with Cargill on successful business ventures and helping other businesses, both in and out of the state, call Kansas home.”

“City and state officials, especially Governor Sam Brownback, made it crystal clear to us that they were committed to keeping Cargill in Wichita,” stated Sikes.  “I know from speaking with our employees here, they are relieved to know of this decision and they are eagerly looking forward to working in a new building that fosters collaboration, efficiency, innovation and excitement.  We will continue to focus on growing our protein business, helping our customers be more successful in the protein space and winning in the marketplace.”

Cargill recently acquired a beef plant in Columbia, SC; opened a nearly $50 million distribution center at its Dodge City, KS beef processing plant; is investing $111 million in a plant conversion for cooked meat products at Columbus, NE; and dedicated a $27 million egg processing expansion in Lake Odessa, MI.

Relocating or Expanding Your Business In Kansas

Considering Kansas for your company’s relocation or expansion project? Check out Business Facilities’ Kansas Incentives and Workforce Development Guide.