Richardson to buy U.S. durum processor

WINNIPEG (Reuters) — Richardson International Ltd. said today that it has agreed to buy Italgrani USA, North America’s largest durum miller, as it increases its food-processing operations.

Italgrani’s assets include a mill in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in semolina and durum flour, storage and crop input facilities in North Dakota and a commodity trading office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Richardson did not disclose the deal value. The transaction will close pending regulatory approvals.

The U.S. acquisition is a step toward Richardson’s goals to expand geographically and increase its food-processing operations, which include canola crushing and oat milling, chief executive officer Curt Vossen said.

Rabobank is serving as Richardson’s financial adviser, while Rothschild & Co. is financial adviser for Italgrani.