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Universal Cooperatives, based in Eagan, Minnesota, was a cooperative controlled by 17 regional agricultural marketing and agricultural supply cooperatives. The distribution system included 110 regional feed mills, 26 warehouses, and 7 research farms. The company was formed November 1, 1972 by a merger of United Cooperatives, Inc. of Alliance, Ohio and National Cooperatives, Inc. of Albert Lea, Minnesota. The companies had inter-mixed ownership, leading to merger discussion, and eventual merger. On May 11, 2014, Universal Cooperatives, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
| Company type | agricultural supply cooperative federation |
|---|---|
| Industry | agriculture |
| Predecessor | United Cooperatives, Inc. and National Cooperatives, Inc |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Members | 14 |
| Website | www |
United Cooperatives, Inc.
editUnited Cooperatives began in 1930 as Farm Bureau Oil Company, and changed its name in 1936. Founding members include:
National Cooperatives, Inc.
editNational Cooperatives was founded in 1933 by
- Farm Bureau Oil Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Central Cooperative Wholesale, Superior, Wisconsin
- Farmers Union Central Exchange, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Midland Cooperative Oil Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Union Oil Company (Missouri), in 1935 renamed Consumers Cooperative Association and in 1966 Farmland Industries North Kansas City, Missouri
Brands
editUniversal owns the CO-OP brand, which is used on tires, batteries, farm chemicals, animal health products, twine, and lubricants. It distributes tires through the Mr. Tire chain.