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TOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Members of United Prairie Cooperative of New Town and Dakota Quality Grain Cooperative of Parshall recently voted to consolidate their two cooperatives into one. The company will officially begin operations as United Quality Cooperative on April 1, 2016.

“We believe this consolidation is in the best interest of our member-owners,” said John Reese, CEO and general manager of United Prairie Cooperative. “The two cooperatives share a bulk fuel partnership and with overlapping trade territories, we feel greater efficiencies will be gained in product offerings and services.”

Daryl Stevens, general manager of Dakota Quality Grain Cooperative, said he is pleased with the outcome of the vote. “It’s good for patrons and it positions the new co-op for future growth.”

With more than 6,000 patrons and 170 employees combined, United Quality Cooperative will offer a full line of services and products in grain and energy. “Our footprint will be much larger in northwestern North Dakota,” said Reese, “which will benefit co-op patrons in the long run. But there will be no drastic changes with the new consolidation, only the ability to serve our members better.”

The cooperative is now conducting a CEO search, as Reese and Stevens will retire April 1 when a new manager is in place. The co-op’s board will consist of nine directors elected from four separate districts. UQC will be headquartered in Parshall, although the New Town office location will be used for business operations.