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Universal Cooperatives

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Universal Cooperatives
Company typeagricultural supply cooperative federation
Industryagriculture
PredecessorUnited Cooperatives, Inc. and National Cooperatives, Inc
Founded1972
FateBankruptcy
Headquarters,
United States
Members14
Websitewww.ucoop.com

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.

United Cooperatives, Inc.

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United Cooperatives began in 1930 as Farm Bureau Oil Company, and changed its name in 1936. Founding members include:

National Cooperatives, Inc.

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National Cooperatives was founded in 1933 by

Brands

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Universal 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.

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