September 16, 2002

Since 1998, Oglevee and Floranova have developed a successful collaboration in testing, production and marketing certain Floranova cutting raised varieties, including Cameo double impatiens and Doublet® begonias. The two companies have now announced plans to establish a broader strategic alliance in a number of key areas of their businesses.

From the outset, Floranova will share the Oglevee site in Lompoc, California, where the two partners will build a shared new facility for their pack trials, starting in 2003. Floranova is seeking to appoint both a Technical and a Commercial Director for North America. Support staff will also be recruited.

A second aspect of the strategic alliance will be that the two companies will establish a number of collaborative breeding programmes.

The logic of an alliance between Oglevee and Floranova is underlined by the fact that the two companies are entirely complementary in terms of geography, breeding programmes and products. Oglevee has great strength in the breeding and production of vegetatively propagated varieties within the USA. Floranova is a leading breeder and producer of seed-raised varieties and sells most of its products in Europe and Asia. The cutting and seed-raised ornamental industries are closer than ever before and, therefore, the Oglevee-Floranova alliance will maximise opportunities for both companies across the ornamental industry.

Floranova is one of Europe's leading breeders of bedding and garden plants. The company has many world-class varieties, marketed to seed distributors throughout the world. the acquisition of the Clause/Harris Moran flower seed products and breeding in 1995 contributed significantly to the product range. The company has a well established global customer base, a substantial production network, and a full program of research and development activities currently based in the UK and Costa Rica.

Oglevee is one of the United States' leading breeders of pot and garden plants, Oglevee gained worldwide recognition for their development of the CVA® clean stock plant process. Today, Oglevee distributes CVI® Oglevee genetics throughout the world. Oglevee headquarters are located in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA.