NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Benary acquires several Bodger Seeds varieties
Ernst Benary Samenzucht GmbH has
purchased several key products of the professional ornamental seed
operations of John Bodger and Sons Company.
April 17, 2009 — Ernst Benary Samenzucht GmbH has purchased several key products of the professional ornamental seed operations of John Bodger and Sons Company.
Beginning May 1, 2009, Benary will take over the inventory, the production and the breeding programs in the following product groups:
• Ageratum houstonianum (Hawaii F1, Blue Blazer F1, Danube F1).
• Calendula officinalis (BonBon, Touch of Red).
• Delphinium elatum (Pacific Giants, Magic Fountains).
• lmpatiens walleriana (Tempo F1, Advantage F1, Envoy F1).
• Lobelia erinus (Palace).
• Lobularia maritima (Wonderland).
• Petunia hybrida (Aladdin F1, Celebrity F1, Avalanche F1).
• Portulaca (Sundial F1, Stopwatch F1).
• Tagetes erecta (Discovery F1, Galore F1, Gold Coins F1, Crush).
• Tagetes patula (Disco, Hero, Little Hero, Safari).
• Viola cornuta (Aero F1).
• Viola wittrockiana (Atlas F1).
“We are excited about the hand over to Benary,” says Kim Bodger, CEO of Bodger Seeds Ltd. “This will ensure that the efforts of the last four generations of our family business will continue in strong and independent hands.”
Through this acquisition, Benary improves its position as a major independent player in key ornamentals. “The product portfolio is made to measure for Benary,” notes managing commercial director Matthias Redlefsen. “This will strengthen our business not only in the established markets, but also in growing regions.”
Benary will intensify the breeding activities in the acquired crops and continue to operate in Lompoc, California, and Ouillota, Chile. According to Nick ten Pas, the company’s managing technical director, “the acquired product range is very solid and has a reputation of strong performance around the world. Benary will invest heavily into further breeding to continue offering excellent and exciting new products to the market.”
ln order to guarantee a continuous quality and seed supply, Benary will be able to take orders beginning May 1. Customers can contact Ernst Benary of America lnc. at 815-756-4546, fax 815-756-9128, e-maiil info@benary.com, or visit www.benary.com.
For seed products not listed previously, continue to contact Bodger Seeds Ltd.
ABOUT BENARY
Benary was established in 1843 and is a leading ornamental breeding company. The independent family business has just passed the baton onto its sixth generation. According to its principle of “a passion for breeding,” Benary has continuously developed new seed varieties for the professional ornamental industry. The company holds particularly strong positions in tuberous begonias, fibrous begonias, pansies, pentas, helianthus, rudbeckias and perennials. Recent introductions, including Begonia x benariensis BIG® or Ptilotus J0EY®, underline the innovative strengths of Benary.
ABOUT BODGER
John Bodger and Sons Company was founded in 1890 in California and has a long tradition in the global ornamental industry. The company operates three divisions. Bodger Seeds Ltd. co-ordinates the breeding and production operations in the professional ornamental industry and also sells to mail order and packet companies. Environmental Seed Producers supplies high quality bulk wildflower seed to retail-oriented seed companies and to large area landscaping users, such as golf courses and state departments of transportation. The Capital Asset Division of Bodger handles the company’s real estate activities.
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