Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth, Innovation & Recognition

As 2024 ends, Savage is proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, innovation, and recognition. From expanding the company’s business portfolio and the Savage Transload Network to launching innovative partnerships and welcoming new leadership, this year has been one of tremendous progress. Here’s a look at the highlights of Savage’s 2024 journey.

Bartlett Cherryvale, Kansas Grand Opening

On September 19, 2024, Bartlett celebrated the grand opening of its Cherryvale, Kansas soybean processing plant. This state-of-the-art facility handles up to 49 million bushels of soybeans annually, providing sustainable soy feedstocks for refined vegetable oil, animal feed, and renewable transportation fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The facility also:

• Creates 60+ permanent jobs
• Generates strong local demand for soybeans
• Encourages rail improvements benefiting Southeast Kansas

As Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said, “This impressive facility is far more than a soybean processing plant. It’s where community members will find good employment. It’s where the demand for renewable fuel will be met. As businesses like Bartlett continue to invest in our communities, we will continue to invest in our people.”

Savage Transload Network Expansion

The Savage Transload Network helps Customers reap the benefits of rail without having onsite rail access. The network of 50+ locations experienced unparalleled growth in 2024, with several major developments, including:

• Idaho Rail Shop Acquisition: This acquisition bolstered our rail services in Pocatello, ID with railcar repair and transload abilities alongside the Pocatello, ID Intermodal facility.
• Cascade Warehouse Acquisition: The addition of Cascade Warehouse expanded our capabilities in the Pacific Northwest with locations in Chehalis, WA; Salem, OR; and Junction City, OR.
• Cedar City, UT Transload Grand Opening: The Cedar City, UT Transload facility officially opened this year, providing critical connections for businesses in Southern Utah.
• Savage Niagara Transload Opening: With the opening of the Savage Niagara Transload, we have further strengthened our footprint in the northeastern U.S., facilitating seamless access to key markets.

Savage Tooele Railroad Surface Transportation Board Approval and Groundbreaking

The first new Utah railroad in decades, Savage Tooele Railroad (STR) is set to bring first-class supply chain solutions to Tooele County. April saw a pivotal moment for the project as we received approval from the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Later in the year, we broke ground on STR, which will significantly enhance freight movement and logistics capabilities and connect the local market and the Lakeview Business Park to the broader North American rail network.

Ahold Delhaize USA, Kellanova, and Bartlett’s Regenerative Agriculture Pilot

This year marked a significant milestone in sustainability with the announcement of a farm-to-shelf regenerative agriculture pilot. A collaboration between Ahold Delhaize USA, Kellanova, and Bartlett, the pilot aims to decrease Scope 3 emissions by integrating regenerative farming practices.

The farm-to-shelf process is as follows:

1. Farmers grow regenerative wheat in Easter North Carolina.
2. Bartlett mills the regenerative wheat into flour.
3. Kellanova bakes the wheat into Cheez-It® and Club® crackers.
4. Ahold Delhaize USA brands to sell the crackers.

Texon Acquisition

In May, Savage acquired Texon, a Houston, Texas-based midstream service provider. The addition of Texon and its team enhances Savage’s existing energy business adding blending and energy commodities marketing to our logistics businesses.

Texon’s proprietary systems optimize butane blending into finished gasoline to meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards and are used in pipelines, terminals, docks, and truck loading racks. The company holds patents worldwide and is expanding its expertise internationally.

Bartlett Partners with Regrow Ag for Sustainability

Bartlett partnered with Regrow Ag to advance sustainability commitments. This collaboration:

1. Creates sustainability strategies for soy oil and soy mean co-products.
2. Helps Bartlett identify opportunities to support farmers.
3. Leverages data-driven insights to enhance sustainable farming practices.

Leadership Changes: CEO Retirement and New Appointments

This year, we bid farewell to our CEO, Kirk Aubry, who retires after 14 years of exemplary leadership. While we celebrated his legacy, we also welcome in 2025 a new CEO, Jeff Roberts, whose vision and expertise promise to propel Savage into its next chapter of growth.

Additionally, we were pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Anders as Chief Financial Officer and NJ Pesci as EVP, Chief People & Strategy Officer. Both bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Awards and Recognition

Savage’s achievements in 2024 were made possible by the dedication and talent of our Team Members. We’re proud to celebrate the recognition our company and individuals received awards this year, including:

• Top Workplaces USA 2024 by USA Today
• Top Company for Women to Work in Transportation by Women In Trucking
• 2025 Military Friendly® Silver Employer by Military Friendly
• Certified Evergreen® company and one of the Best Evergreen Companies by Tugboat Institute
• Brandi Mechling: one of Utah Business’s 30 Women to Watch
• Kyle Naylor: National Safety Council Rising Stars Safety Award
• Arees Pitts HR Impact Award from the Houston Business Journal
• Bron McCall: one of Constellation Research’s Business Transformation 150 (BT150)

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we close out 2024, Savage is well-positioned to continue building on this year’s successes. Our growth, innovation, and commitment to sustainability have set the stage for an even more impactful 2025. We thank our Team Members, Partners, and Customers for being part of this incredible journey.

Here’s to the road ahead, as we remain dedicated to solving tough challenges and helping our Customers and Partners to feed the world, power our lives, and sustain the planet!