Universal Cooperatives
| agricultural supply cooperative federation | |
| Industry | agriculture |
| Predecessor | United Cooperatives, Inc. and National Cooperatives, Inc |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Eagan, Minnesota, United States |
| Members | 14 |
| Website |
www |
Universal Cooperatives, based in Eagan, Minnesota, is a cooperative controlled by 17 regional agricultural marketing and agricultural supply cooperatives. The distribution system includes 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.
United Cooperatives began in 1930 as Farm Bureau Oil Company, and changed its name in 1936. Founding members include:
- Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative Association, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Farm Bureau Services, Inc., Lansing, Michigan
- Ohio Farm Bureau Service Company, Columbus, Ohio
National Cooperatives, Inc.
National 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
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.