DECATUR, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced today that it is
exploring establishing a new global headquarters and customer center.
“Our company is growing and becoming more global and more
customer-centric,” said Patricia Woertz, ADM chairman and chief
executive officer. “To continue to succeed, we need a global center in a
location that allows us to travel and work efficiently with customers
and employees throughout the world. We also need an environment where we
can attract and retain employees with diverse skills, and where family
members can find ample career opportunities.”
The company is considering locations and having discussions with various
public officials and advisors. It does not expect to discuss those
details publicly.
It expects to locate a small, corporate team at the global center, with
approximately 100 jobs relocated to the center. In addition, the company
plans to create a new IT tech center at the same location, adding
approximately 100 new positions there over the next few years.
The company does not plan any layoffs in connection with the move to a
new global center.
“As we look to establish the new global center, we remain firmly
committed to the 4,400 colleagues who will continue to work in Decatur,
and to the economic strength and viability of the Decatur community,”
Woertz said.
In recognition of the breadth and importance of the work that will
continue to be centered in Decatur, the company’s office there will be
designated the North American headquarters. ADM also maintains regional
headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland; São Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai,
China.
“To ensure that Decatur remains a strong and vibrant community for years
to come, we are also announcing today several multi-year financial
commitments. We are investing in Decatur’s economic development to help
ensure it flourishes economically, in its schools to foster a strong
workforce pipeline, and in critical social services to enhance the
quality of community life,” said Woertz.
Among the specific commitments the company is making is $250,000 a year
for three years to fund an enhanced public-private partnership and
unified marketing campaign for the Economic Development Corporation of
Decatur & Macon County, including the funding of a mayoral economic
development fellow; and $500,000 a year for five years to Decatur Public
School District 61. In addition, the company will maintain its other
Decatur and Macon County community support at $1 million a year for at
least 10 years.
“This is an exciting time for our company. We are preparing for a large
North American harvest and the completion of our acquisition of
GrainCorp,” Woertz said. “We look ahead to a strong 2014, as we position
our company for continued success.”
About ADM
For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company
(NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve vital needs.
Today, 30,000 ADM employees around the globe convert oilseeds, corn,
wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and
energy uses. With more than 265 processing plants, 460 crop procurement
facilities, and the world’s premier crop transportation network, ADM
helps connect the harvest to the home in more than 140 countries. For
more information about ADM and its products, visit www.adm.com.
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Media Relations
David Weintraub, 217-424-5413
media@adm.com