O Midwest is in the heart of the USA, close to some of the largest metropolitan regions in the country and bathed by the Mississippi River. It is the largest producer of soybeans and corn in the USA, which can also be called North American Mato Grosso.
Brazil is the fourth largest buyer of products from the region in the world! Almost 1/3 of the 100 largest food industries in the USA operate in Iowa and other states.
The region is the country's leader in the production of biofuel – ethanol and biodiesel.
Spends almost 30% more on bioscience research than other North American states.
About ILOS Technical Missions
A Technical Mission Midwest USA – 2025 offers an immersion into logistics practices at the heart of agribusiness in the USA.
Over the course of 5 days, we took executives from Brazil to visit some of the largest operations in the US in the agribusiness, machinery and equipment, logistics operators and retail sectors.
The technical visits will be accompanied by two logistics and supply chain specialists from ILOS, in addition to partners from Iowa State University and executives from the companies visited.
A Technical Mission Midwest USA - 2025 is a partnership of ILOS with the Department of Supply Chain Management at the Ivy College of Business - Iowa State University.
The Ivy College of Business is among the top 10% of largest MBA programs in the USA, being part of the group of
main business schools in the country.
The program is also leader in supply chain impact research and partners with some of the largest companies in the US across a variety of sectors.
In addition to its prominence in Supply Chain Management, Iowa State University is one of the global leaders with its school of agriculture and life sciences.
2025 Agenda
- 01 June
Arrival in Minneapolis
Welcome presentation
Free / City tour
Dinner
- 02 June
Present in 70 countries, Cargill is one of the largest agribusiness companies in the world. Its global operations range from the purchasing, processing and distribution of grains and other commodities to the supply of ingredients for pharmaceuticals and beauty and personal care products.
This entire operation leads to a complex supply chain, which connects producers and industries around the world, in addition to offering services and risk management solutions for the links in its chain.
On this visit, we will learn about the operations at the company's headquarters, watch a presentation and debate with company executives.
Lunch
With almost 2 stores in the United States, Target is the seventh largest retailer in the country, with revenue of US$109 billion and 32nd among the Fortune 500 companies.
Since 2022, Target has been implementing an investment plan of up to US$5 billion to expand its same-day delivery by 50% with new DCs, transit points and improvements in deliveries from stores. Target also invests in model stores and kitchens to test products and services and improve the customer experience.
On this tour, we'll tour the company's headquarters operations, test kitchen, and mock store in the Minneapolis area.
Dinner
- 03 June
One of the largest electronics retailers in the US, Best Buy ranks 94th on the Fortune 500 list, with total revenue of US$46,3 billion in 2023.
From its headquarters in Richfield, Minnesota, the company has been adjusting its physical operations to integrate it with the omnichannel concept. Almost 1/3 of Best Buy's sales in the US are online and, in 43% of them, the consumer redeems the product in store.
On this tour, we will learn about the company's headquarters operations and sample store in the Minneapolis area.
Lunch
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Land O'Lakes is one of the largest agricultural cooperatives in the US. With revenue of US$19 billion and more than 100 years of operation, it ranks 213th in the Fortune 500 ranking.
Formed by more than 4.700 local cooperatives, Land O'Lakes operates in more than 50 countries and is a leader in dairy products in the USA. Its 4 business areas serve everything from the producer, with the supply of seeds, herbicides and nutrients and feed, to the final consumer, with milk, butter, cheese and eggs.
On this visit, we will learn about the operations at the company's headquarters, watch a presentation and debate with company executives.
Departure to Ames
Dinner
- 04 June
With more than 90 years of experience in transportation management, Ruan is one of the 10 largest privately held transportation companies in the US. The service portfolio ranges from dedicated transport to storage and integrated logistics solutions.
In 2023, Ruan ranked 34th in the ranking of the 100 largest North American transporters, with revenue of US$1,7 billion, and a fleet of almost 4 thousand horses and 11 thousand implements.
On this tour, we will learn about the operations of the company's headquarters, truck yard, training center and repair shop in the Des Moines area.
Lunch
Considered one of the 5 most reliable supermarket chains in the USA, Hy-Vee has more than 280 stores in 8 states across the country. It closed 2023 with an estimated revenue of over US$12 billion and is among the 40 largest privately held North American companies.
In recent years, Hy-Vee has been investing in micro-fulfillment centers in some stores to support its omnichannel operation. These centers are equipped with robots that transport items from the store's inventory to the picking area.
On this tour, we will learn about headquarters operations, a store, and a distribution center in the Des Moines area.
Dinner
- 05 June
The lab is an exciting partnership between Alliant Energy and Iowa State University's Center for Industrial Research and Services (CIRAS).
It helps companies evaluate problems and find opportunities and solutions, integrating processes and systems to increase productivity and minimize production costs.
It uses innovative Industry 4.0 technology, such as cobots, 3D scanning and autonomous vehicles.
On this visit, we will learn about the laboratory's operations and its areas of activity.
Lunch
Danfoss designs solutions that increase productivity, reduce emissions, energy consumption and enable electrification.
Solutions are used in areas such as refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, power conversion, engine control, industrial machinery, automotive, marine and off-road and on-road equipment.
They also provide renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind power, as well as district energy infrastructure for cities.
Danfoss employs more than 42.000 people, serves customers in more than 100 countries through a global presence of 95 factories.
On this visit, we will learn about the unit's operations in Ames.
Iowa State University is an American public university located in Ames, in the state of Iowa.
The institution was founded in 1858 and currently has around 35.000 students, more than 100 courses in six undergraduate faculties to choose from, world-renowned professors, diverse research opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities.
In relation to agriculture, Iowa State University is one of the most relevant higher education institutions in the United States. She stands out, especially, for her related research
to the cultivation of corn and soybeans.
On this visit, we will get to know the university campus on a guided tour.
Dinner
- 06 June
Founded in 1837, John Deere is a global leader in providing advanced products, technology and services to customers whose work is revolutionizing agriculture and construction.
We help our clients push the limits of what is possible in more productive and sustainable ways to help life leap forward.
Our technology-enabled products, including the John Deere 8R Autonomous Tractor, See & Spray™ and E-Power Backhoe Loader, are just a few of the ways we help meet the world's growing need for food, shelter and infrastructure.
On this visit, we will visit the Tractor & Engine Museum, located in Waterloo.
Lunch
Go to Minneapolis
Book
Important informations:
1) Overnight stays will be made according to the logistics of the visits.
2) Companies may undergo changes, but it will always be maintained the quality of companies and visits.
Pricing
1 participant
U.S. $ 5,500
value per participant
5 participants
U.S. $ 5,200
Groups of 5 or more participants,
value per participant
10 participants
U.S. $ 4,930
Groups of 10 or more participants,
value per participant
Terms and conditions
ARE INCLUDED: all taxes and fees, as well as transfers between visits and cities and simultaneous translation. Technical visits and expository sessions, with simultaneous translation into Portuguese depending on the group's profile. Transfer between technical visits; commuting between the cities of Minneapolis, Ames, Des Moines and Pella.
NOT INCLUDED: airline tickets; Travel insurance; payment for hotels; food; and other expenses will be the responsibility of each participant. Hotel reservations will be made by the event organizers taking into account the location and agenda of the Mission.
The Mission ends in the late morning of 07/06. If the participant wishes to stay in the USA, they must arrange hotel reservations.
The payment method for the Mission is as follows:
50% upon acceptance of the proposal
50% when up to 15 days before embarking for the Mission.
The amounts in dollars will be converted into reais on the date of issuance of each NF.
The validity of this proposal is 30 days.
Cancellation: cancellations will only be accepted up to 30 days before departure. 10% of the registration fee will be deducted from the amounts returned, in addition to tax withholding. After this date, only changes in ownership will be permitted. The participant is aware that if there is a no-show charge at the reserved hotels, this expense will be their responsibility.
