Ames, Iowa, USA
October 12, 2010
Acquisition of leading biorational producer expected to add near-term growth and diversity to Becker Underwood’s portfolio
Becker Underwood announced today that it has acquired Biological Control Products (Pty) Ltd (BCP). BCP is a leading company in Africa for solid-state fermentation of fungal products. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“The addition of BCP gives us manufacturing capability for a wide range of fungal products, a sales office for promotion of existing Becker Underwood products, and a new range of biorational products that we can now take to the rest of Africa and to our other global businesses,” said Peter Innes, CEO of Becker Underwood.
The acquisition now extends Becker Underwood’s global reach to 12 locations in nine countries over five continents.
“BCP is uniquely positioned to help Becker Underwood capitalize on a fast growing segment of agriculture that is seeking solutions for managing residues,” notes Fernando Lopez, in charge of global strategic marketing at Becker Underwood. “In addition, this acquisition helps us better meet the strong demand of growers to utilize biorational tools, alongside conventional chemicals in integrated spray programs.”
“We are excited about the value that a global organization such as Becker Underwood can unlock for promising biorational products,” said BCP’s CEO Ken Neethling. “We are pleased to be joining a company that has already shown its commitment to the industry with an established portfolio of biorational products and extensive research-and-development capabilities. We believe there is a good fit in company cultures and a shared passion for growth.”
The acquisition will be seamless for BCP’s existing customers, as the company’s full line of products — including Broadband™ bioinsecticide, Green Muscle™ bioacricide for locust control, Trichoplus™ biofungicide and PL Gold™ bionematicide — will continue to be available through its existing distribution channels.
BCP was founded in 1995, near Durban, South Africa. The core business of the company is the development, registration, manufacture and sales of a range of biologically based products for agriculture. The current product range includes soil inoculants, plant growth promoters, disease suppression agents and pest control agents. BCP operates principally in South Africa, but also derives a significant part of its business from export sales into the rest of the African continent.
Becker Underwood, Inc., founded in1982, is an international developer of bioagronomic and specialty products. In addition to being the leading manufacturer of seed coatings and colorants, the company is also the leading global producer of inoculants, beneficial nematodes, mulch colorants, and a wide range of agricultural and horticultural solutions. Visit the company’s website at www.beckerunderwood.com to learn more about its products. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, USA, Becker Underwood employs around 400 employees globally, with facilities located in Ames, Iowa; Caldwell, Idaho; St. Joseph, Missouri; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Littlehampton, UK; Curitiba, Brazil; Toulouse, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Nelson, New Zealand; Somersby, Australia; and now Durban, South Africa. The company has grown every year since it was founded in 1982 through organic growth and targeted acquisitions.
Topics
Species
