The Andersons, Inc. (NasdaqGS:ANDE) today announced a first quarter 2012 cash dividend of $0.15 payable January 24, 2012, to shareholders of record on January 3, 2012. The new dividend marks over five years (61 consecutive quarters) of dividends paid to shareholders.

4Q 2011 dividend was $0.11. For the last three years, Andersons has increased the stock dividend. The dividend is almost double the amount paid in the last three years.

“As stewards of the shareholder’s investment in our company, we are pleased that we’ve had the financial results, and the confidence in our earnings capacity going forward, that allows us to provide this larger than normal dividend increase,” says Nick Conrad, V.P. Finance and Treasury.

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of U.S. agriculture, as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production, and general merchandise retailing.  Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company now has operations across the United States, in Puerto Rico, and has rail equipment leasing interests in Canada and Mexico.