King's Lynn, Norfolk, United Kingdom
8 February 2000

Germain's (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc, announced today that an agreement has been signed by Germain's (UK) Ltd and Engineered Technology Systems, (ETS), with the intent that Germain's (UK) Ltd acquire the entire shareholding of ETS. The Company will become a division of Seed Systems, Germain's US-based company, and continue to trade under the name ETS.

Since their formation in 1995, ETS have specialised in providing technology capable of coating a wide range of seeds. In addition, they also provide seed treatment binder polymers and turnkey facilities to customers in both North and South America, Europe, and Australia.

Germain's (UK) and its group of companies are the world's largest independent seed pelleting and coating specialists. The headquarters of the Company's worldwide activities is based in Kings Lynn, UK, with additional plants in Ireland, Poland, Holland, Spain and USA. The Company has a total of nine production facilities, of which four are in the USA. In Holland and Spain the business operates under the name of International Seed Technology (IST). These plants provide a range of technology packages from seed enhancement to pelleting and coating for a wide sector of the agricultural and horticultural industry. In addition to operating its own facilities, Germain's also has technology licences and turnkey projects in Japan, Italy and Romania.

Paul Ayres, Managing Director of Germain's (UK), comments: "The acquisition further enhances our expertise in coating technology, and broadens our range of products and markets. It also demonstrates the Group's continuing intention of becoming a more complete provider of seed technology products and services."

Company news release
N2471