Tessenderlo Kerley Opens State-of-the-Art Fertilizer Plant in Defiance
Defiance, OH – Under bright skies described as “Chamber of Commerce weather,” community leaders, company executives, and residents gathered Thursday, August 21 to celebrate the grand opening of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.’s newest fertilizer production facility in Defiance. The ribbon cutting marked the culmination of a three-year journey that began with a groundbreaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strategically built on a 50-acre site, the new facility is designed to produce key crop nutrients including Thio-Sul®, KTS®, and K-Row 23®, which will serve farmers and growers across the United States and Canada. Company officials emphasized that the plant incorporates cutting-edge technology aimed at conserving both energy and water, making it the only facility of its kind in the world.
“This facility is beyond infrastructure—it’s a symbol of our promise to farmers, growers, and communities,” said Russell Sides, Executive Vice President of Tessenderlo Kerley. “It took collaboration, communication, and teamwork to bring us here today. Despite COVID, supply chain disruptions, and the challenges of Midwest weather, we never stopped moving forward. We’re proud to expand in Defiance and deliver science-driven nutrients that grow healthy, productive crops sustainably.”
Defiance Mayor Mike McCann reflected on how the project diversifies the city’s economy. “For most of my life, Defiance has been a GM town, a car town,” McCann said. “But it’s wonderful to see us begin to diversify with this investment in agriculture—our largest industry. This facility is exactly the kind of growth our community needs.”
The project was made possible through the generosity and foresight of the Plummer family, who played a pivotal role in establishing the industrial park where the facility now stands. During the ceremony, TKI presented the City of Defiance with the original groundbreaking shovel and announced that a commemorative stone will be placed on-site to honor the Plummer family’s contribution.
The celebration concluded with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by guided tours of the plant. Plant manager Charlie delivered a lighthearted safety briefing—“First off, don’t run with scissors”—before welcoming guests to see the facility up close.
With full-scale operations now underway, Tessenderlo Kerley’s Defiance plant is expected to create new jobs, strengthen regional agriculture, and serve as a model for sustainable fertilizer production.
“This is the story of a family’s dream and a vision that became reality,” Sides said. “Teamwork really does make the dream work, and we’re honored to now be part of the Defiance community.”
