Ardent Mills getting into chickpeas

Flour and ingredient company Ardent Mills is looking to add a chickpea supplier.

The Denver-based flour-milling company announced its intention to purchase substantially all of the business operations of Hinrichs Trading Company, a North American leader in chickpea sourcing, cleaning and packing.

Ardent works with private label manufacturers and the move further invests in Ardent Mills’ specialty ingredient capabilities. The deal is expected to close in April 2021.

Headquartered in Pullman, Wash., Hinrichs Trading Company currently operates across five locations in Washington and Montana. Family-owned, Hinrichs Trading Company has more than 30 years of chickpea experience, having been involved in the production of the ingredient since it was first introduced into the United States.  

“Ardent Mills and Hinrichs Trading Company share a strong commitment to our growers, customers, team members, communities, and to growth and innovation,” said Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills. “There is a strong cultural alignment and shared values across both organizations. We look forward to welcoming the talented Hinrichs Trading Company team to the Ardent Mills family.” 

The two companies expect the deal will help customers bring innovative products to market to meet growing consumer demand for plant-based and specialty ingredients.  

“We were looking for a partner that had the expertise to take the chickpea market to the next level and provide new opportunities for our team members and our growers,” said Phil Hinrichs, CEO of Hinrichs Trading. “Ardent Mills is that partner. They bring operational and technical expertise, access to new markets, and the ability to scale quickly and sustainably. Hinrichs Trading Company complements that with our extensive chickpea sourcing knowledge and extremely close grower connections. We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with Ardent Mills as we share a similar values-based culture and a solid vision for growth.” 

The move to add the chickpea business is another in a line of moves from Ardent Mills and its growth in specialty ingredients and plant genetics including:  

• an acquisition of Andean Naturals’ quinoa operations in February 2020;  
• an acquisition of an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Ore.;  
• and added capabilities in its Denver RiNo community mill to clean and pack specialty grains.  

“The plant-based food and beverage market shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, we continue to see significant growth as consumers look to foods that align with their individual values – both personal and planetary,” said Shrene White, general manager of The Annex by Ardent Mills. “Ardent Mills has made proactive investments to meet this demand. This potential venture will enable us to offer diverse chickpea solutions to our customers from day one."