Relationships with results ...

The company that is now Ritter Grain Services in Marked Tree, Arkansas is over 100 years old.  The Ritter family traces its history back four generations to when an ancestor moved to Arkansas from Iowa, homesteaded 200 acres, and opened a general store.

Ritter Grain Services began their Grain Division in 1947 as back to back traders.  They began a relationship with White Commercial Corporation in 1999 and started to hedge all their grain.  Since 1999 the grain volume has increased by 300%.  By increasing the volume of grain handled, multiple opportunities and new customers have become available. 

Brian King, General Manager, commented, "Our 300% increase in grain volume is totally relative to our hedging program with White Commercial.  Their educational tools have equipped my employees with the knowledge to understand the mechanics of making good trades great for all the stakeholders of Ritter.  Because of this, we've added 1.5 million storage space since 2000, were able to get our farmer customers to Forward Contract their grain, and generated an additional 1.8 million dollars to put back into the community.  This really excited me to contribute and help make our community stronger."

Phil and Malissia Abell and daughter Sarah Abell Tanner, Owner/Operators of Kevil Grain Company, have been in the grain business for 23 years, and a part of the White Commercial family since March of 1999.

In the early years they were 100% back-to-back grain traders, but always knew that there was more money to be made in the grain business.  After attending a White Commercial grain merchandising workshop, they saw the first glimpses of just how much opportunity was available with the right training and guidance to take their business to the next level.

After becoming a White Commercial participant their business has grown considerably.  They have expanded their storage capacity from 340,000 bushels to 1.4 million bushels, and handle approximately 4.8 millions bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat annually.  They have also dramatically increased their grain margins from 2¢-6¢ a bushel to 30¢-40¢ per bushel through basis trading.

Malissia became a Certified Grain Merchant in June 2007, after completing the intense Grain Merchant Certification Course prepared and published by Sherry Lorton and White Commercial.  This has allowed Kevil Grain's customers to come to trust and depend on her knowledge of marketing their grain.  She contributes that trust to White Commercial's continued efforts to provide the tools needed to help the producer capture as much money possible year after year.  It has been a growing process for Kevil Grain and the area farmers.


A personal note from Malissia:
There have been many changes in the grain market since our relationship began with White Commercial.  I must say the one that that I am most impressed with (and I could name a few) is how White Commercial adapts with the changes.  They are constantly updating and learning themselves, and passing that knowledge and marketing tools on us.  They continually strive to present the most up to date marketing strategies and tools to help us stay competitive and successful in this era of merchandising.