Announcing the Formation of the Cooperative Supply and Service Alliance (CSSA)
Mar 01, 2022
Following the Sixth Cooperative Principle “Cooperation Among Cooperatives,” The Great Bend Co-op (Great Bend, KS) and The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company (Bazine, KS) are pleased to announce the formation of the Cooperative Supply and Service Alliance (CSSA) as founding members. CSSA will allow the cooperatives to consolidate purchases of supply and optimize services while maintaining local brands, ownership, and control for the individual cooperatives. The initial focus for CSSA includes the aggregation of agronomy crop protection and seed purchase volumes, with Great Bend Co-op acting as the administrative cooperative. Other future aligned initiatives are also on the long-term roadmap for CSSA.
Chris Wagner, CEO of Great Bend Co-op states, “We are excited to form this new agreement that will benefit the member owners of Great Bend Co-op and The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company. Great Bend Co-op continues to grow at a rapid pace and this framework will only add to our ability to continue that growth and pass on the rewards that this creates to our members and the members of The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company.”
Michael Kempke, General Manager of The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company adds, “We each have successful and strong local brands. While we could have explored a merger or LLC arrangement, we feel that we can enhance both cooperative supply chains while capturing the benefit of economy of scale through a working alliance like CSSA. It is a new model that requires trust and willingness to collaborate.”
The two managers will utilize their unique backgrounds and the talents of their respective teams as a steppingstone in developing the alliance for the benefit of the Cooperatives they represent as well as future Cooperatives who would like to join.
From humble beginnings in 1959, Great Bend Co-op, located in central Kansas, has grown to eleven elevators, eight fueling sites, agronomy, seed, feed, bulk fuel, grain, and farm supply services. Great Bend Co-op’s commitment to excellence pushes them to strive to do the best for their customers and employees. Focusing on innovation and the customer experience, they understand that customer success is imperative to their success. Learn more about Great Bend Co-op at https://www.greatbendcoop.com/.
Located in west central Kansas, The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company was established in 1929. With a “local” focus for “local” strength, the Cooperative offers services in grain storage and marketing, agronomy, feed and owns a service station. Strong, growing and financially successful, the Cooperative is extremely proud to serve their area members and patrons. Learn more about The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company at https://www.cgscoop.net/.
Chris Wagner, CEO of Great Bend Co-op states, “We are excited to form this new agreement that will benefit the member owners of Great Bend Co-op and The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company. Great Bend Co-op continues to grow at a rapid pace and this framework will only add to our ability to continue that growth and pass on the rewards that this creates to our members and the members of The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company.”
Michael Kempke, General Manager of The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company adds, “We each have successful and strong local brands. While we could have explored a merger or LLC arrangement, we feel that we can enhance both cooperative supply chains while capturing the benefit of economy of scale through a working alliance like CSSA. It is a new model that requires trust and willingness to collaborate.”
The two managers will utilize their unique backgrounds and the talents of their respective teams as a steppingstone in developing the alliance for the benefit of the Cooperatives they represent as well as future Cooperatives who would like to join.
From humble beginnings in 1959, Great Bend Co-op, located in central Kansas, has grown to eleven elevators, eight fueling sites, agronomy, seed, feed, bulk fuel, grain, and farm supply services. Great Bend Co-op’s commitment to excellence pushes them to strive to do the best for their customers and employees. Focusing on innovation and the customer experience, they understand that customer success is imperative to their success. Learn more about Great Bend Co-op at https://www.greatbendcoop.com/.
Located in west central Kansas, The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company was established in 1929. With a “local” focus for “local” strength, the Cooperative offers services in grain storage and marketing, agronomy, feed and owns a service station. Strong, growing and financially successful, the Cooperative is extremely proud to serve their area members and patrons. Learn more about The Cooperative Grain and Supply Company at https://www.cgscoop.net/.