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Ames, Iowa
September 2000
Becker
Underwood, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty
colorants and bio-agronomic products, announces the purchase of
UK-based MicroBio Group Ltd. The acquisition includes the exclusive
production and marketing rights of all MicroBio bio-fertilizers and
bio-pesticides for the professional turf, agriculture and greenhouse
markets. MicroBio’s product line includes the following leading
brands:
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HiStick®
– a rhizobium inoculant that increases yields in legume crops by
fixing atmospheric nitrogen and making it available to plants.
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Nemasys®
– a bio-pesticide for insect control in greenhouse, nursery
stock and specialty crops such as mushrooms.
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MBI 600 – a novel
strain of naturally occurring soil bacterial species that
stimulates plant growth and suppresses a number of plant fungal
pathogens.
Headquartered in
Whittlesford, England, MicroBio is an international developer of
natural solutions to pest/disease problems with production plants in
Saskatoon, Canada, and Littlehampton, England. It specializes in the
discovery, scale-up fermentation and formulation of live organisms,
which offer growers the opportunity to reduce the use of chemical
pesticides and mineral fertilizers.
MicroBio products are
based on naturally occurring micro-organisms that help to maximize
yield and protect plants from pests and disease. MicroBio consists of
three business units including rhizobium inoculants, nematode
bio-pesticides and a new products group.
"This acquisition
further underlines Becker Underwood’s commitment to an aggressive
strategy that combines organic growth of internal product development
with key acquisitions of companies, technologies and selected
brands," says Roger Underwood, president. "MicroBio brings
proven bio-solutions to our already strong product offering. We will
utilize their production facilities in England and Canada to continue
to provide the highest quality products."
Dr. Peter Innes, managing
director of MicroBio, adds, "We are extremely excited to join a
company that is so focused and dedicated to bringing proven
bio-solutions to the market. Our technical base and current products
are a perfect fit for the long-term goals of Becker Underwood."
Founded in 1982 in Ames,
Iowa, Becker Underwood, Inc. manufactures and markets a variety of
specialty colorants and bio-agronomic products for turf management,
agriculture, seed
treatment, wood recycling, aquaculture, vegetation management,
forestry, structural pest control and many other industries. To learn
more about their products, visit the web sites at www.bucolor.com;
www.microbiogroup.com; www.histick.com.
Company news release
N2988 |
