Retirement Time For WSC’s Mathur

Has Been President/CEO of Western Sugar Cooperative Since Growers’ Purchase of Company in 2002
By Sandra Hansen*

The room was full of smiling faces when Inder Mathur, CEO of Western Sugar Cooperative, stopped by the WSC Scottsbluff office in late March to say thank you and goodbye. He retires in late April, after 12 years of service to the company. Posing for a group shot are, left to right: Jeannette Wilcox, WSC byproducts coordinator; Luke Rust, Scottsbluff factory manager; Nancy Ross, Scottsbluff office administrative assistant; Mathur; and Sven Martinsen, SVP Operations at the co-op’s Denver office. - Photo: Sandra Hansen

Everyone wants to live the “American Dream,” and Inder Mathur believes he has. After guiding the company for 12 years, Mathur will retire as CEO of Western Sugar Cooperative at the end of April, and he is extremely pleased with the path that allowed him to know shareholders, employees and customers, as well as untold numbers of Americans of all walks of life.

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“When they called and asked if I would be the CEO, I jumped at the chance,” Mathur says. “And I’ve lived the American dream.”

That dream was a while in developing. Born in India and educated in London, England, Mathur then went to work in the financial department of Tate & Lyle, a British company. It wasn't long before they sent him to the United States to help steer the recovery of Great Western Sugar, which had gone bankrupt, and then was purchased by Tate & Lyle.

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* Sandra Hansen is agricultural editor for the Scottsbluff (Neb.) Star-Herald. This article originally appeared in the March 30 edition of the Star-Herald’s Farm & Ranch publication.

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The young Mathur family expected to return to England following his two year commitment. However, during that time in Denver, Colo., he and his family decided they eventually wanted to live in the Mile High City on a permanent basis. The time wasn't right, and changes in employment took him to Illinois and Wisconsin, where he was when the new cooperative offered him the job as chief executive officer.

According to Mather, 1986, when they came to the United States, was the beginning of an incredible journey. “My son was only one year old when we came out here,” he says, adding that the young man is now 29, married and living in Houston, Texas. “Western became a big part of me and my family, and it got into my blood.

“I've grown attached to the cooperative and the industry,” he says. “I've grown to like the business and the different opportunities offered by such a complex industry. It’s totally integrated from the farm to the customers. 

“Where else could you be involved in something like this?” he asks, continuing to elaborate on the extent of his connection to all aspects of the company, including the farmers, the factories, sales, distribution — and even politics. “It’s all very interesting and widespread,” he concludes.

He is especially impressed with being in such direct contact with the shareholders, Mathur says, noting that some CEOs never see them. He says he feels in touch with them, which he considers unique.

“I can’t say enough about our shareholders,” Mathur states. “They are committed to this business and to sugarbeets in this area. We wouldn't be here without them.

“It was a big risk to buy the company with low sugar prices and a difficult market, and the first six years were pretty tough because of the drought. But the shareholders, directors and management had the same goal — and looking back, they made good decisions, no matter how hard it was.”

As for highlights of his WSC career, Mathur says the major achievement was the introduction of Roundup Ready® sugarbeets. “Roundup Ready beets are right at the top,” he says with a big smile. “They made growing beets manageable and helped the co-op grow.”

WSC Scottsbluff Factory: Photo by Don Lilleboe

He also sees a huge accomplishment in the success of the co-op. “People wondered in 2002 whether or not we’d make it,” he observes. “Today, we’re not only making it, we’re growing the business. If you stay focused on doing the right things, long-term, you’ll get through adversity.”

Ups and downs are to be expected in any commodity business, such as sugar, Mathur notes. However, with good management, the business can be effective, whether in good times or through challenges. “Our shareholders understand that, because that is what it is like with their own farms and businesses,” he says.

“It is tight times now, but we’ll work it out and come out of it stronger. We have strong players and committed growers. I sincerely believe the best days are still to come,” Mathur states. “It is a solid business, with a strong shareholder base. That’s a good team, committed to doing what is right for the shareholders.”

Saying goodbye to the company he helped mold is not an easy task for Mathur. “The factory employees asked me to come and say goodbye,” he says, so he has been on the road in late March and early April, visiting shareholders, employees, customers and others he has met during his time at the Denver-based company.

Mathur says that even though this trip is to say “Thank you” to employees and others, he is still talking business and will have stopped at all five factories — Fort Morgan, Colo.; Scottsbluff, Neb.; Torrington and Lovell, Wyo.; and Billings, Mont., before he leaves.

“I’m fortunate and blessed that I had the opportunity to be part of this great industry, and the team that put Western Sugar in the very strong position it is today,” he says.

Now he will have his chance to “decompress,” spend more time with family, including his daughter, 25, in Denver, and look for ways to give back to the community.

“It’s a great industry to be in, and I’ve been very fortunate to have been in this capacity,” Mathur concludes. “It’s been a phenomenal run.”

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