Davis, California, USA
February 1, 2016
Limagrain, through its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary Vilmorin USA Corp., is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Genica Research Corporation (USA), which is headquartered in Dixon, California.
Created in 1999, Genica Research Corporation, parent company of Magnum Seeds and Genista, specializes in research efforts for the breeding and production of hybrid vegetable seeds. Its portfolio includes sweet and hot peppers, cucumber, zucchini, tomato, eggplant, melon and watermelon. The company has 50 permanent employees based in the US and Europe, nearly half of whom are dedicated to research and development.
The European activities of Genica Research Corporation, including greenhouses in Spain (pictured) and a research station in Italy, will be integrated into Vilmorin, based in France.
"Genica Research Corporation is a premium vegetable seed company: creator of successful varieties, it has developed high performing genetics, modern infrastructures and highly talented and qualified teams." explains Rodolphe Millet, CEO of Vilmorin. "By integrating European activities of Genica Research Corporation, Vilmorin expands its germplasm in tomato and sweet pepper with very complementary genetic and reinforces its technological and scientific resources. Vilmorin offers the optimum environment to best express the combination of these assets."
“Genica Research Corporation has tremendous knowledge of seed science and we are pleased to welcome their team of world class breeders,” said Matthew Johnston, CEO of HM.CLAUSE. “As much as we value genetic resources, we value people more, and this new pool of talent will boost our activities as well as complement our existing team of experts and our germplasm,” he added. HM.CLAUSE will be able to draw upon the strength of their sales networks and global technology platforms to fully leverage the newly acquired breeding capabilities.
The USA activities of Genica Research Corporation, including research and farm facilities located in California and Florida, will be integrated into HM.CLAUSE, Inc., based in Davis, California.
Vilmorin and HM.CLAUSE are both Business Units of Limagrain.