Union Center Village President  Alan Scott learned last week that as of Oct. 31, Merrick's, Inc. are selling their assets in Union Center to Animal Milk Products, a division of Land O’ Lakes, Inc.

Middleton-based Merrick’s will move their animal feed manufacturing business to their facility in Wonewoc, located in the former Rayovac building.

Up to six Union Center employees will transfer to the Wonewoc location, and others will be able to apply for work with Land O’ Lakes.

Merrick’s began operating in 1959. In addition to Wonewoc, the company has locations in Albert Lea, Minn., and Oxford, Neb.

Land O’ Lakes, a national farmer-owned food and agricultural organization, is headquartered in Shorewood, Minn. The company also operates a plant in Black River Falls.

Merrick’s Union Center employees were informed of the sale last week during a special meeting.

“The Village of Union Center is glad to see a manufacturer will still be operating in our village and providing employment for the surrounding communities,” Scott said in a statement.