LEXINGTON, Ky. — One of the largest animal nutrition and health companies in the world is about to get bigger, with the announcement that Alltech will be acquiring all of the outstanding stock of Ridley, Inc., another giant in the animal nutrition industry.

Alltech founder and President Pearce Lyons said, in a press release, the transformative transaction that combines two industry leaders allows Alltech to deliver better performance and value to livestock and poultry producers across the globe.

"With Ridley’s leading animal nutrition supplements, block products, extensive livestock and poultry producer distribution network and on-farm presence, we will be able to bring our advanced nutrition technology to market faster and more effectively," he noted.

While this doesn’t mark the first acquisition for Alltech, it is one of the biggest, according to Lyons. "This is Alltech’s eighth acquisition since 2011. We have acquired seven other companies in North America, Europe and Australia, but Ridley represents the largest acquired company for Alltech to date."

Ridley President and CEO Steven J. VanRoekel said in a statement that joining the two companies is about bringing the best nutrition solutions to meat, milk and egg producers around the world.

"Alltech is the technological leader with a broad global footprint, so by uniting forces we will create a scalable platform to grow and market solutions to enhance the profitability of producers," he said. "We are also joining a financially strong company that is committed to investing in science and innovation so that we can deliver the most advanced animal nutrition solutions."

While Alltech has grown to be a diversified company, one of the sectors that remains the heart of the operation is animal nutrition. There is a major advantage for Alltech in acquiring Ridley.

"Its brand, which has been built by the talent of its people, the strength of its technology and safety and efficacy of its products, is the single greatest advantage to Alltech," said Lyons. "Ridley and its family of brands, including Hubbard, represent one of the most trusted animal nutrition companies in the world.

"Their specialization in block nutrition was also a particular attraction for Alltech, and we hope to scale their block technology globally."

Lyons said research endeavors in animal nutrition by Alltech will even be greater with all that Ridley brings to the table. He added one of the characteristics of Ridley that is so attractive is that it also has a formidable technical team, with nearly 50 employees holding advanced degrees.

With so many facilities in Kentucky (Alltech headquarters is located in Nicholasville), Lyons said he believes with this acquisition, an economic powerhouse will be created in the state. "Alltech already employs more than 600 Kentuckians in eight Kentucky counties, and Ridley employs approximately 70 in our Commonwealth," he said.

Alltech has four major manufacturing facilities in the state, including animal nutrition plants in Nicholasville and Springfield, Alltech Algae in Winchester and the brewery/distillery in downtown Lexington, which actually has expanded production to two locations, Cross Street and Angliana Avenue. Ridley has two locations in Kentucky, including a current $8 million expansion in Flemingsburg.

According to information from Alltech, the combined company will have a presence in more than 128 countries and 4,200 employees worldwide. The company notes the transaction is subject to approval by Ridley shareholders, regulatory review and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the second quarter this year.