Herington Livestock Commission Co. has new owners, manager
Staff writer
Late last year, a group of local investors bought the Herington Livestock Commission Company. At the time, a dwindling number of buyers and sellers had resulted in a bank holding, and the facility was threatened with closure.
The company has been operating since the first of the year under the management of Bill Mathias. Mathias had 16 years of previous experience in running the business.
Mathias said business doubled from January to February and continues to increase.
Made up of a group of nine stockholders, the investors are in the process of upgrading the operations and facilities. Office computers have been replaced. Plans include replacing screens and renovating the sale ring.
“We are making improvements weekly,” Mathias said.
Video auctions are under consideration. In video auctions, cattle are taped at another location and sold through the sale barn.
“It’s all about the numbers,” an investor said. “More sellers bring in more buyers. We have a good location, and we want to be one of the best sale barns in the country.”