Egg producer Kreider Farms has acquired all of Esbenshade Farms’ shell egg operations and its related customer base.
Simultaneously, agricultural products and services organization The Wenger Group acquired Esbenshade Farms’ feed mill and its Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, properties, as well as all Esbenshade’s swine operations.
Kreider Farms is based in Pennsylvania and produces conventional, cage-free, free-range, organic and nutritionally enhanced eggs, as well as other dairy products. The Wenger Group offers animal nutrition and feeds, specialty protein production, on-farm protein production services and grain, fertilizer and ingredient procurement.
According to WATT Global Media’s 2023 Egg Industry Top Companies issue, Kreider Farms houses 6.1 million layers and is the largest egg producer in Pennsylvania. The acquisition on Esbenshade Farms will give the company an additional 2 million layers.
The details of the acquisition
When considering a potential buyer, Esbenshade Farms chairman Glenn Esbenshade said the company was looking for someone with similar core values and a passion for supporting agriculture, and that The Wenger Group and Kreider Farms displayed both.
“It is apparent they truly care about farmers and operate with integrity with team members, farmers, customers and suppliers,” said Esbenshade.
Barry Shaw, a Wenger Group executive chairman, explained the feed mill together with the sow operations will enable the company to serve its existing customer base in new ways, as well as support growth with key players in the Mid-Atlantic pork packing industry.
“We want the Esbenshade team members, producers, customers and suppliers to have a great experience with our operations and will work hard to ensure that occurs,” stated Shaw. “We are also glad for the opportunity to incorporate Esbenshade’s assets and legacy in our family-owned business, which is now almost 80 years old.”
“We share the same family values and the same dedication to quality and service,” said Ron Kreider, Kreider Farms’ President and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming Esbenshade employees and egg customers into our family.”
