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Broin Cos., the nation's largest dry-mill ethanol producer, has changed its name to Poet. The Sioux Falls-based company announced the change at 7 p.m. Thursday after notifying employees during an event that featured an appearance and speech by former astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the moon. Poet officials said the name change has been in the works for nearly a year. President and CEO Jeff Broin said the company wanted a name that would reflect the unique nature of the organization. "We wanted a name that would represent, rather than describe, who we are and what we do," Broin said. "As a poet takes everyday words and turns them into something valuable and beautiful, we use creativity that comes from common sense to leave things better than we found them." The company said the change will strengthen its communications, unify its several companies under one brand and better reflect its current position. "This company is not about one person. This company is about an unbelievable team of dedicated professionals who work together to change the world we live in," Broin said. "Although I plan to be part of this organization for a long time, I don't feel that my last name is the best name to take this company through the next generation." In announcing the name change, Poet drew comparisons between the nation's push for 35 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2017 and a 1962 commitment to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. "Most people were saying that couldn't be done, but Neil Armstrong proved them wrong," Broin said. "Poet wants to be the company that proves the naysayers of ethanol were wrong." N ames of the company's new entities are: * Poet, formerly Broin Cos. * Poet Plant Management, formerly Broin Management. * Poet Design & Construction, formerly Broin & Associates. * Poet Ethanol Products, formerly Ethanol Products. * Poet Nutrition, formerly Dakota Gold Marketing. * Poet Research Center, formerly Broin Enterprises. The company's Web site is www.poetenergy.com. |
