Citing an overall structural change to the business—and not financial hardship—Landus has reduced its employee count by 10%--or about 55 people.
The layoffs were announced on Friday, January 17, and were effective immediately. Effected employees were said to be from multiple locations and job level.
Talking to local TV affiliate KCCI in Des Moines, CEO Matt Carstens says the business of ag retail has changed, and therefore, the way the company conducts its business needs to change. He says advancements in technology will be used to create efficiencies and grow the business and be there in the way farmers need.
The layoffs affect Landus locations across Iowa, but are reportedly not part of a location consolidation or closing strategy. Remaining employees were told to expect changes as well in the co-op’s structure going forward.
Founded in 2016 when Farmers Cooperative Co. of Ames, Iowa, and West Central Cooperative of Ralston, Iowa, merged, Landus has 55 retail outlets today that touch 34 states and 16 countries. The co-op generates $2.4 billion in annual revenue.
Earlier this summer, Landus shared with The Scoop how it is indeed doing it differently and transforming itself into the farmer-first cooperative of the future. Read that story here.
This includes its spin off e-commerce business Conduit Ag, its joint venture to apply military technology and training to agriculture, its new green ammonia fertilizer production site, a health and wellness program (including offering health insurance), and more.
And reporter Matthew Grassi did a Q&A with Carstens to get his perspective on the future, which you can find here.
