ADM Selects Chicago For New Global Headquarters

DECATUR,  Ill.After months of speculation, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) confirmed that it has selected Chicago as the location for its global headquarters and customer center. ADM will continue to have a significant presence in Decatur, which will be designated the companys North American headquarters. No layoffs are planned in connection with the move to a new global center.

While we considered other global hubs, Chicago emerged as the best location to provide efficient access to global markets while maintaining our close connections with U.S. farmers,  customers and operations," said ADM Chairman and CEO Patricia Woertz. Chicago also provides an environment where we can attract and retain employees with diverse skills, and where their family members can find ample career opportunities."

In keeping with ADMs intention to establish its global center in a cost-effective manner, Woertz said she expects to locate a small corporate team of about 50 to 75 employees in the new center. The company also will now evaluate alternative sites for its new Information Technology and support center, where it expects to locate about 100 new IT jobs. ADM will continue to consider potential locations for the IT center in several states and expects to make a decision by mid-year 2014.

One of the options the company considered was a comprehensive plan that would have established both a larger global headquarters and the information technology center in one location and included state government support and multiyear commitments to stakeholders. However, that plan could not be realized within ADMs timeframe. We decided to move forward in the way that best meets our organizational objectives," Woertz said.