Scoular celebrates new global headquarters in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 15, 2021) — Scoular, a century-old agribusiness with $6 billion in annual revenue, celebrated its move to a new global headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. 

The company sought a modern space to accommodate its growth and to create an energizing, collaborative workplace. Over the past five years, the number of employees in Omaha has nearly doubled as the company has experienced significant growth.  

“As our employees have returned to the office and new members join our teams, it’s important to provide a high-performance, collaborative and flexible space where everyone feels included and can do their best work,” said CEO Paul Maass. “We are thrilled to have created this space for current and future employees in Omaha.” 

Omaha firm Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture worked with Scoular to reimagine the office, an existing three-story building at 13660 California St. The pandemic’s impact on how employees work was top-of-mind, as was Scoular’s ESG strategies. The firm guided Scoular on best practices for office design to support not only collaboration but also employee wellness, safety, flexibility and inclusion. 

“Scoular values its employees and the communities in which we work and live,” said Kelli Eickhoff, Scoular’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are proud to make significant investment for our teams and in Omaha as we execute our growth plans here and in our other locations around the world.” 

Highlights include: 

• Workplace design to focus on and to promote employee health and well-being, such as a fitness center with ample natural light, and private wellness spaces to accommodate nursing mothers, prayer, meditation, etc.

• Significantly enhanced HVAC features and high-quality air filtration systems to help reduce virus and bacteria transmissions. 

• Workstations spaced in distance and height to comply with health and safety recommendations. All desks are ergonomic, sit-to-stand capable.  

• A thoughtful design to facilitate more efficient operations and reduce Scoular’s environmental footprint, as part of the company’s Sustainability Strategy. For example, during its move, Scoular donated office furniture, space heaters and other unneeded supplies to local non-profits. In addition, the space was designed to limit resource use and minimize environmental impact. 

• “The Exchange,” a central breakroom for collaboration and socialization that opens to a patio with a fireplace.  

• Varied spaces to foster collaboration and inclusion among small and large groups: common areas with high-top tables to encourage impromptu conversations, huddle rooms, bench seating in high-traffic areas and booth seating in the breakroom.

• Video conferencing in all meeting rooms to ensure connectivity for all 1,200-plus Scoular employees globally. Scoular has regional corporate offices in Minneapolis; Overland Park, Kansas; and Singapore. The company was recently named as the 68th largest private company in the United States. 

• Integration of Scoular’s refreshed brand and yellow-and-blue logo. For example, an 800-pound mobile representing the semi-circle logo hangs in the lobby. 

• A 35-foot backlit wall that showcases Scoular growth and innovation over time, from a black-and-white photo of founder George Scoular to Petsource by Scoular, a new and rapidly expanding freeze-dried pet food manufacturer. 

“This wall demonstrates to both employees and visitors Scoular’s long history of evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing agribusiness industry,” said David Faith, the Chairman of Scoular’s Board of Directors. “I hope that anyone viewing it realizes the incredible breadth of Scoular’s business and our immense opportunity to innovate for the future.” 

Scoular is proud to have partnered with Omaha firms on the project. In addition to Alley Poyner Macchietto, key partners included Sampson Construction, Ervin & Smith, and Sheppard’s Business Interiors.  

David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, was among those attending Wednesday’s ceremony in the lobby of the new headquarters. 

 “To many, this may look like a building. But in reality it is an investment in people,” he said. “Creating vibrant spaces like Scoular’s new headquarters in Omaha is key to attracting and retaining a top-notch workforce. We love to see evidence of growth in the region, and Scoular has almost doubled the amount of employees in their building in the last five years alone. The modern, bright and collaborative space of the new HQ will be a great addition to the Greater Omaha area, and we look forward to seeing the positive results that will come from this investment.” 

 About Scoular 

Scoular is an employee-owned company founded in 1892. We buy, sell, store, handle and process grain and ingredients by leveraging our global networks and expertise in international trade and transportation. Employing more than 1,200 people in more than 100 offices and facilities in North America and Asia, we provide safe and reliable solutions to farmers, grain processors, renewable energy producers and manufacturers of animal feed, aquafeed and pet food as well as to the food, beverage and supplements industries. Scoular was recently named the 68th largest private company in the U.S.