MEDIA RELEASE
10 May 2011
PGG Wrightson Seeds continues Australian expansion
PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of PGG Wrightson
Ltd, has purchased the assets of Southedge Seeds Pty Ltd "Southedge
Seeds", effective 9 May 2011.
John McKenzie, Group General Manager of PGG Wrightson's AgriTech
Division said the purchase would extend the growth of the company's
operations in Australia, where PGG Wrightson Seeds have been established for almost 75 years. "It will expand our
presence in northern Australia and provide production, processing and export capabilities across a wide range of
tropical species."
Southedge Seeds is located in the town of Mareeba, on the Atherton
Tablelands of northern Queensland, Australia's primary tropical pasture seed production area.
The acquisition of Southedge Seeds provides a range of strategic assets for PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia, including:
- Tropical pasture seed production capability in the Atherton
Tablelands
- Seed processing and coating facilities, plus cold storage
- Patented de-hulling and coating technology, branded "Envirogro"
- A number of Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) tropical cultivars
- Export and domestic sales capability and expertise in tropical
species.
The acquisition follows the recent purchase of South Australian business Keith Seeds by PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia.
Both acquisitions strengthen the company's footprint in Australia and diversify the company's product offering. While
PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia is the market leader in temperate pasture seeds in Australia, this acquisition provides
the platform for growth into the tropical market segment.
PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia will be retaining Southedge Seeds staff
and will seek immediate opportunities to expand its domestic sales
throughout Queensland and New South Wales via PGG Wrightson Seeds'
domestic distribution brands.
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