October 6, 2008
Source: Times-Herald (Moose Jaw) - City Page, Monday, October 6, 2008, p. A3
By: Carter Haydu
Moose Jaw's Simpson Seeds is diversifying operations, incorporating canary seed into its peas/lentil-based business.
On Sept. 17, the local company purchased a 250,000-bushel capacity grain elevator in Kyle, as well as a seed-cleaning plant in Swift Current's Canadian Pacific Railway yard.
Tyler Simpson, Simpson Seeds operations manager, said the purchase not only increases the company's personnel by seven, but gives access to the bird feed market through the Kyle facility. The Swift Current plant will deal with red and green lentils.
"It wasn't something we were looking for, but the opportunity arose and we felt this was the right time and these were the right places," he said. Nobody was laid off through the purchase.
Because Simpson Seeds has an international focus and a policy of internal promotion, Simpson said the new employees have a lot to look forward to with their new employer.
The 29-year-old company, which now employs about 67 people, has dealt solely in the international peas and lentils trade, until the past few weeks.
Simpson said selling a particular crop type harvested from one specific area of Saskatchewan could be problematic, as some bad weather in the local area might seriously damage the company's profit margin.
Expanding operations into areas west of Moose Jaw alleviates the weather risks somewhat, he said, adding the company can use its international lentil connections to increase profits from its newly acquired canary seed business as well.
"Lots of our customers already deal with multi-commodities, so we already have lots of people who buy canary seed," Simpson said. "So, that is a strength."
Simpson said acquisition of the two facilities provides convenience for existing Simpson Seeds customers in the Swift Current and Rosetown areas. It also gives prospective customers one more option for marketing their crops.
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
© 2008 Times-Herald (Moose Jaw). All rights reserved.
