Simplot, an American Family-Owned Company, Thrives in Covington County

Simplot is an international agribusiness company with more than 13,000 employees in more than 60 countries. Of its four locations in Alabama, one shines in Covington County.

“The best thing about Simplot is that it’s a family-owned, private business,” says Jared Gray, regional manager for the southeast region. “It was started by a potato farmer who branched out to diversify his income. The company still values his entrepreneurial spirit and encourages teams to blaze their own trails instead of following well-beaten paths.”

Simplot Grower Solutions is a full-service agriculture retail company with a range of field inputs, including seed, chemicals, and fertilizers. They work closely with farmers to identify solutions that can make their businesses more effective. Keep reading to learn more about Simplot Grower Solutions and its experience in Covington County. 

Simplot Thrives By Putting People First

Simplot has been operational since 1923, when J.R. Simplot dropped out of school at 14 to start his own business. In the following decades, Simplot expanded from a crop production company into a diverse enterprise that supports cattle ranching, food, mining, and agricultural retail. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Simplot weathered the storm in part because its products are so diverse.

The company is still operated by the Simplot family and reflects the values of its founder. “Every company says it cares about its people, but Simplot really cares about safety and ensuring each person goes home the same way we came to work,” says Gray. “We operate on the belief that if you take care of each other and take care of your customers, the numbers tend to take care of themselves.”

Ashley Poole, Regional Operations Manager for Simplot, confirms that the company's operations are what make it successful. “Our goal is to better serve farmers,” she says. And that requires a customer-focused approach.

Simplot Easily Expanded Into Covington County

Simplot Grower Solutions has locations throughout the United States and Canada and a large footprint in the American Southeast. In addition to its four stores in Alabama, it has two locations in Georgia and three in Florida. The regional management team hopes to expand even further in the coming years.

Expanding into Opp was easy with the help of the Covington County Economic Development Commission (CCEDC). Gray says it might have been the best experience Simplot has had opening a new location.  

“It’s been a great experience,” says Gray. “The CCEDC and the City of Opp rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome. They ensured everything was suitable to our needs. Even though we have been open since 2012, they continue to follow up and check in.”

Economic development leaders in Covington County agree that the relationship between the City and Simplot has been easy to foster and beneficial for everyone involved.

“Simplot is a tremendous asset to the City of Opp,” says Rick Clifton, President and CEO of the CCEDC. “Not only does the company support employment in the region, but it also helps local farmers get the resources they need. It is a keystone company in the agriculture industry.” 

Covington County Supports Simplot’s People First Mission

Simplot Grower Solutions’ operations reflect the changing needs of farmers, agricultural businesses, and similar companies across the United States. Along with its entrepreneurial spirit, Simplot also continues to adapt its hiring practices. The company is looking for employees with difficult-to-teach soft skills (like problem-solving and time management) and tech-forward skills that reflect the changing tools used in both manufacturing and farming.

“As businesses change and evolve, we need to rethink the skills we look for,” says Gray. “Even though we need employees who understand technology, our common core values remain strong.”

This is another reason Covington County is an asset to Simplot and other modern industries. Southeast Alabama has a strong labor pool with people who are ready to work. There are several workforce training resources in the region and regional universities to hire from. Even the public schools are notable for their career training education (CTE) programs. It doesn’t matter what the future of work looks like, Covington County will have the right talent for the job. 

Learn More About Agribusiness in Covington County

Several industries have discovered the value of Covington County and the location advantages of Southeast Alabama. Not only did Simplot recognize the value of expanding into the region from a business perspective – reaching out to local farmers – but it also saw how easy it would be to work with city officials and the CCEDC. When you choose Covington County, you will have a dedicated partner to help you bring your business here and a support system by your side throughout the years.

Contact us today at 334-222-7040 and learn about the available sites in Covington County, Alabama.