Alico (company)

Alico Inc. is a agribusiness and land management company, based in Fort Myers, FL. Alico is operating in the segments citrus groves, improved farmland, ranch and conservation, and agricultural Supply Chain Management.^[1] Another of Alico's prominent products is cattle. Its market cap in 2015 is $ 397.92M. ^[2]

History

More than a century ago, the American experience, for many, came to life when the railroads opened up a nation, linking people and products north, south, east and west to power an economy ready to go global. Alico, Inc., originally known as the Atlantic Land and Improvement Company, was founded in 1898 as a subsidiary of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and was the holding company for its real estate division.^[3]

Operating at first out of a historic Florida courthouse, the Atlantic Land Improvement Company’s “South Florida Project” was soon creating waves of change in a land abundant in resource but limited in direction.

Sound management and vision from the parent company provided that direction. In February of 1960, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (now part of CSX Transportation) spun-off the Atlantic Land and Improvement Company, which was then renamed Alico (an acronym for Atlantic Land and Improvement Company).

In 1972, Alico’s fortunes grew as it came under the leadership of future Hall of Fame citrus pioneer and businessman Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., who at one point was listed by Forbes as one of America’s richest. Although lands were originally acquired to produce timber for the railroads, the company would quickly diversify into cattle, citrus, sugarcane, sod and mining.

Griffin, Jr. passed away in 1990 and was succeeded by his son Ben Hill Griffin III. Griffin III would go on to donate 760 acres of the company's land in South Fort Myers to the state for the construction of Florida Gulf Coast University. The road leading to the university and one of its academic halls are named for Griffin, and its basketball arena is named Alico Arena.^[4]

Today, Alico is an American agribusiness leader, known for its expertise in citrus, cattle, conservation and rural-based commodities. With land holdings of over 122,000 acres in twelve Florida counties, Alico produces citrus, cattle and other commodities with a clear focus on sustainability and conservation to ensure a bright future for the company, the environment and the communities we serve.

Citrus

Alico owns and manages citrus groves in Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Osceola, and Polk Counties and engages in the cultivation of citrus trees to produce citrus for delivery to the fresh and processed citrus markets under the Alico, Inc., Orange-Co and Silver Nip brands. Today, approximately 46,000 gross acres are in production.

Alico’s sales to the processed market constitute approximately 95 percent of its citrus sales annually. Alico produces early and mid-season varieties, primarily Hamlin oranges, as well as a Valencia variety for the processed market.

Alico’s sales to the fresh market constitute approximately 5 percent of its citrus sales annually. Alico produces numerous varieties to the fresh fruit market, including grapefruit, navel and other fresh varieties. Generally, Alico’s fresh fruit is sold to packing houses by the box and the packing houses are responsible for the harvest and haul of these boxes.

Improved Farmland

Alico owns and manages Improved Farmland in Hendry County and engages in farming the land and leasing some of the acreage to others to farm. Improved Farmland totals approximately 8,100 gross acres. Alico’s Improved Farmland includes approximately 1,800 gross acres of farmland currently used for farm leasing and other purposes and approximately 6,300 gross acres of permitted but undeveloped acres (acres that are permitted for farming but that have not yet been cleared, leveled and irrigated for commercial farming). On November 21, 2014, Alico completed the sale of approximately 36,000 gross acres of land located in Henry County, Florida used for sugarcane production, and as a result of the disposition of the sugarcane land, Alico is no longer involved in sugarcane operations.

Ranch and Conservation

Alico owns and manages ranch and conservation land in Collier, Hendry and Polk Counties and engages in cattle production, sod and native plant sales, land leasing for recreational and grazing purposes and conservation activities. Ranch and Conservation totals approximately 64,500 gross acres. Alico occasionally leases the same acreage for more than one purpose.

Alico’s cattle operation is engaged in the production of beef cattle and is located in Hendry County. Alico primarily sells its calves to feed yards and yearling grazing operations in the United States. Alico also sells cattle through local livestock auction markets and to contract cattle buyers in the United States. These buyers provide ready markets for the cattle.

References

External links

• http://www.alicoinc.com/