Pasco, Washington, USA
October 29, 2009
More than 100 Syngenta Seeds, Inc. employees and community leaders gathered on Wednesday, October 28 at the company’s Pasco, Washington vegetable seed processing facility to celebrate its grand opening. The Pasco facility is located on approximately 40 acres of land and is designed and equipped with new high-technology equipment to process vegetable seeds. Construction began in June 2008 and the facility became fully operational in October 2009. Syngenta employs approximately 30 full-time employees at the site and more than 100 seasonal employees during the sweet corn harvest season.
Syngenta Seeds constructed the Pasco seed processing facility to meet the anticipated long-term global customer demand for high quality vegetable seeds. The facility provides seeds including sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, squash, melons and broccoli to the world from this new location, which represents a significant investment in the future of the Syngenta vegetable seed business. Syngenta Seeds is a unit of Switzerland-based Syngenta, a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.
“Building the Pasco seed processing facility is well aligned with Syngenta’s global strategy to focus on high quality, differentiated vegetable seed products,” said Tim Primus, head of the supply chain for Syngenta Seeds in North America and site project leader. “The state-of-the-art technology in the facility provides a significant improvement in seed processing capabilities, which underscores our commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality products possible.”
The event began with welcome remarks by Dan Burdett, North America Head of Vegetable Seeds for Syngenta, and Andre Goig, Global Head of Vegetable Seeds for Syngenta. Burdett and Goig detailed Syngenta’s vision for the Pasco seed processing facility, as well as how it fits into the company’s global strategy.
Other speakers included State Senator Jerome Delvin, 8th District, Joyce Olson, Mayor of Pasco, Washington, Tim Kovis, Field Director for U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, Bob Gore, Deputy Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture. All then took part in a site dedication where a bronze plaque was presented.
After the opening presentation, Syngenta hosted a tour of the facility, giving attendees a first-hand look at the new facility and technology, including:
- Sweet corn dryer which comprises 36 drying bins of different sizes. The bins can be individually configured to exact drying parameters to optimize the high quality of the sweet corn seed and to meet the specific genetic drying sensitivity needs of each variety.
- Over 30,000 square feet of conditioned warehouse that provides control over the atmosphere—a major benefit when summer temperatures reach 100F / 38C. Seeds are living things, so the conditions in which they are stored play a large role in maintaining their quality level.
“The efficiencies and quality of this new plant are consistent with our commitment to growers around the world and to achieving the highest quality products,” said Dan Burdett, Head of the Vegetables business for Syngenta Seeds in North America. “The grand opening of our new facility is meant to celebrate our success and thank the Pasco community, our customers and employees for their continued support.”
“This farming region is one of the most productive in the world. We value agriculture and have been working to expand it,” said Joyce Olson, Mayor of Pasco, Washington. “We’re grateful that Syngenta recognized all that we offer and has invested here. We’re pleased that you acknowledge our region’s optimal growing conditions and quality of farmers and Pasco’s attractive business climate—and chose this location for your new facility.”
Pasco is the newer of two Syngenta vegetable seed processing plants in the U.S. The other facility is located in Othello, Washington and focuses on peas, snap peas, and green bean seed processing. Syngenta has transferred seed processing activities for sweet corn and several other vegetable crops from its plants in Nampa and Twin Falls, ID and Gilroy, CA, to the Pasco plant. Syngenta’s North American vegetables seed business will continue to have a strong presence in Idaho’s Treasure Valley with its headquarters in Boise and Research and Development center in Nampa.
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