About Us

Our Story

ORIGO, formerly known as Tri-State Grease & Tallow Company, Inc., was founded in 1967 by Lawrence Hippert, Jr. The company originated as a collector of restaurant grease throughout Minnesota and its surrounding states. In 1978, the business was sold and the company quickly shifted its focus to animal nutrition. Animal fats and vegetable oils known as feed fats were being introduced into livestock diets and the company started developing blends. Before long, ORIGO became a leading supplier in Minnesota to the dog food, poultry, dairy, and swine industries.

In 1990, ORIGO saw another opportunity within the feed industry and constructed a feed fat drying operation. This facility was focused on servicing the dairy and swine industry with prilled fat supplements. With increasing customer demand, ORIGO expanded its operations in 2000 with another prilling facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.  This facility operated for six years until its sale in 2006.

Minnesota continued to serve its loyal customer base until 2021 when operations transitioned to its newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility in Ashland, Ohio with all of the modern technologies. Today, ORIGO continues to maintain its strength in the animal feed fat supplement market while continuing to research and develop new products.

ORIGO is currently owned by brothers, Bruce and Michael Hippert, after the passing of their father in 2000.