meeting the needs
by listening to our customers and interacting on a daily basis, The Andersons responds by finding solutions that create an even deeper value for our customers. Our resourcefulness helps us improve upon our existing business, making us successful year after year.
GRAIN GROUP
We are known for being close to the farm gate. We listen to our farm customers and provide them the services they need to be successful. Regarded as a well-respected partner, we provide exceptional tools for risk management, among others. A few years ago, we adapted this skillset to provide key commodity and risk services for the burgeoning ethanol industry and most recently to serve food producers. Our relationships are key to our success and helped the Grain Group achieve record 2011 operating income of $87.3 million, with total revenues of $2.8 billion.
ETHANOL group
As seasoned grain originators, risk managers and plant operators, skillfully developing our ethanol business has come naturally. We now hold a solid position in this young industry. Now, as we move forward, we continue honing our skills and looking to new opportunities and new products where we can apply our capabilities in the bio products arena. This direction helped the Ethanol Group record its second best year in 2011 with operating income of $23.3 million and total revenues of $642 million.
Plant Nutrient group
With world population reaching seven billion in 2011, there’s no denying that effective, efficient and environmentally viable crop production is vital to feeding a growing world. By providing essential crop nutrient inputs we contribute to the production of larger and more robust crops than ever before. Our objective is to continue to widen our product and service offering while expanding our footprint. To that end, the Plant Nutrient Group posted record operating income of $38.3 million in 2011 on revenues of $691 million.
Rail group
Whether it is a solid or liquid, our customers move thousands of products across the country in our railcars each year. As the economy improves, we are seizing opportunities to provide customers with railcars to meet their needs, all the while expanding the geographic reach of our railcar repair network. With improved utilization rates and leasing terms, the Rail Group had significantly improved operating income of $9.8 million in 2011 on higher revenues of $107 million.
Turf & Specialty group
Coupling technology and innovation provides a competitive edge to meet the varying demands of customers. Applying our dispersible granular technology to a broader product line provides highly efficient, cost competitive solutions to a wide range of customers. Products derived from our own innovation address the needs of customers from brand marketers to greens keepers to horticulturists to lawn care professionals to people who own pets. In 2011, the Turf & Specialty Group’s full year operating income was $2.0 million on revenues of $130 million.
retail group
Get a new blade for the saw, pick out some new bath towels, consider kitchen remodeling options and grab a bottle of wine and some sushi for dinner, all in one stop. For long-standing customers of The Andersons, this is a familiar routine. Led by a specialty food offering highly sought-after by a younger demographic, we are broadening the selection and appeal of our stores to a new generation of loyal customers. The Retail Group had an operating loss of $1.5 million in 2011 with total sales of $158 million.
