Rainbow North America’s Tom Lyons on Strategizing Supply Chains and Adapting to Evolving Global Markets
27 March 2025 
In an era of increasing supply chain complexities, Rainbow North America is taking a proactive approach to strengthening agribusiness logistics with its new Partner Production Center.
AgriBusiness Global interviewed Tom Lyons, General Manager for Rainbow North America, about modernizing supply chain strategies, leveraging Champaign’s strategic location, and implementing advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and adaptability in an evolving global market.
ABG: With the new tariffs taking place, how will Rainbow strategize sourcing from countries like China to meet production needs?
TL: We recognize that the entire industry is navigating these challenges together. Our approach is to design a modern, flexible supply chain that can adapt to evolving tariff structures.
We leverage our global manufacturing base and strategic partnerships to maintain a broad and adaptable supply network. This ensures we can respond dynamically to changing trade conditions while continuing to meet production needs effectively.
ABG: How does Rainbow North America’s investment in the Champaign Partner Production Center strengthen supply chain resilience?
Tom Lyons: Rainbow empowers our brand partners with full-spectrum crop protection solutions, and the Champaign Partner Production Center is the physical interpretation of that philosophy. This facility reflects our commitment to collaboration, providing optionality and tailored solutions for our partners. Additionally, its strategic location and diverse logistics capabilities help us mitigate supply chain risks, ensuring reliability for our customers.
ABG: What strategies has Rainbow North America implemented to modernize and optimize the supply chain, and how can other agribusiness companies learn from this approach?
TL: The crop protection supply chain is aging and complex, and we see a great opportunity to bring world-class, tech-enabled facilities into North America. The Champaign Partner Production Center is a prime example of how local formulation capabilities can enhance efficiency, transparency, and flexibility. Our strategy is centered on providing tailored solutions for our brand partners.
ABG: How does the strategic location of Champaign, IL, contribute to Rainbow’s vision for innovation and efficiency in crop protection production, and what can this teach other companies about site selection for manufacturing and distribution?
TL: Champaign is a prime logistics hub in the Midwestern U.S. The facility benefits from access to all six major U.S. railroads and sits at the intersection of two major interstate highways. This allows us to optimize both global inbound and outbound logistics.
Additionally, being near the University of Illinois and local community colleges provides access to top-tier talent in ag tech, engineering, and agriculture. This integration of infrastructure and expertise strengthens our ability to innovate and efficiently serve our partners.
ABG: What role does Rainbow North America’s focus on technological advancements, such as multi-line production capabilities and diverse import routes, play in shaping the future of agribusiness supply chains?
TL: The complexity of global supply chains demands constant evolution. Our investment in multi-line production capabilities and diverse import routes ensures that we remain adaptable to changing conditions. This flexibility allows our brand partners to maintain service quality while optimizing working capital and inventory efficiency. By prioritizing agility and resilience, we’re setting a model for the future of agribusiness supply chains.
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