Cargill's protein business headquarters will remain in Wichita and relocate from 151 North Main Street to a new office building which will be built at a yet-to-be-determined site within the city limits.
The company's decision was made after a thorough analysis of numerous options, including several cities in states other than Kansas. The decision is dependent upon pending approval by the City of Wichita for an agreement between the two entities. The company's move to a new office building is expected to take place by the end of 2018.
"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 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."
Other criteria addressed as Cargill explored its options include: 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."
"We are pleased that Cargill will continue to call Wichita, Kansas, home for the foreseeable future," said Governor Sam Brownback. "This is an investment in our state, a 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."
"Right from the start, the City of Wichita stepped up to demonstrate its commitment to Cargill and its ongoing success," said Mayor Jeff Longwell. "Today's announcement shows that, once you weigh all of your options in the Midwest, Wichita is still the best place to grow your business."
For its protein group headquarters, Cargill explored locations throughout the middle third of the U.S. beginning in late 2015. "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, S. C.; opened a nearly $50 million distribution center at its Dodge City, Kan., beef processing plant; is investing $111 million in a plant conversion for cooked meat products at Columbus, Neb.; and dedicated a $27 million egg processing expansion in Lake Odessa, Mich. "Together with our new headquarters in Wichita, these are examples of our long-term commitment to grow our protein business," said Sikes.
