Bio-Care brings 50 years of innovation, research and product development in rhizobium inoculants and the biological control of diseases and pests for agricultural and horticultural applications

Becker Underwood, Inc., Ames, Iowa, USA, a world leader in biotech specialties, biopesticides, seed enhancements, turf and landscape products, announces the acquisition of Bio-Care Technology Pty Limited of Australia.  Bio-Care is a leading Australian biotechnology business whose products are used as seed inoculants and bio-pesticides in agricultural and horticultural applications.

“The addition of Bio-Care further extends Becker Underwood’s position as the world’s largest non-pesticide seed enhancement company,” said Roger Underwood, CEO. “The focus of our global and technological expansion is to provide customers with the latest in biotech products offering long-term, environmentally beneficial solutions for crops.” Underwood added, “This acquisition is another step in our plan to lead with a global presence in each of our markets and provide local support to our customers worldwide.”

“We’ve been looking for opportunities to establish a leading presence in Australia for some time,” said Peter Innes, President of Becker Underwood. “Bio-Care is highly respected in the biotechnology industry. Bringing together the two companies provides an exciting opportunity to remain at the forefront of the R&D, formulation and manufacturing of environmentally-friendly microorganisms that maximize yield and protect plants from pests and disease,” Innes said.

Leading Bio-Care products include: Nodulaid™ and Nitrogerm™, inoculants for legumes; BioCane™, biological pest control for sugarcane; BioGreen™, biological pest control for turf and pastures; NOGALL ™, fungal and disease control for fruit trees; and other bacterial or fungal agents used as bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides or crop protectants.

Gary Bullard, founder and Managing Director of Bio-Care, said, “Combining Bio-Care with Becker Underwood’s global presence and vast research capabilities will benefit our new and existing customers with a much broader product line.” Bullard will continue as Managing Director of Bio-Care, along with 23 other staff. 

Richard Waterworth, formerly the General Manager of Nufarm’s specialty distribution company NuTurf, has been hired as Managing Director of Becker Underwood Australia, the parent company of Bio-Care.  Waterworth will lead Becker Underwood’s business development effort in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, executing its plan for investment and acquisition throughout the region.

“The management and logistics are in place to greatly expand Becker Underwood’s entire product line into the Australasian market,” said Waterworth. “Both Bio-Care and Becker Underwood are ISO 9001 certified, owning significant product technologies and a growing market presence globally. I am proud to join with Gary Bullard and the Becker Underwood team” 

“This acquisition gives Becker Underwood a commanding business presence in Australasia and expands our biological product line with leading products for agricultural and horticultural applications”, said Underwood. Bio-Care is the sixth acquisition in 16 months for Becker Underwood, a fast-growing company with manufacturing facilities in five countries on four continents.

Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, USA, Becker Underwood was established in 1982 by Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker.  Since its founding, the company has experienced tremendous growth in sales and profitability throughout its 22 year history. Underwood projects consolidated sales for 2004 to reach approximately $75 million. Becker Underwood employs 256 employees globally, with additional facilities located in Caldwell, Idaho, and St. Joseph, Missouri, USA; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Littlehampton, UK; Pinhais, Brazil; Toulouse, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and now Somersby, Australia. Becker Underwood’s seed enhancement, agricultural and horticultural products are sold in 85 countries, through crop or specialty distributors.