Effective September 15, 2011 a renegotiation of the PRO Seeds ownership agreement sees Hendrick AgriFoods acquiring one-third ownership in the company after purchasing shares from Thomsen-Jung Farms Ltd. Additional changes to ownership include the redeeming of shares by Marc Bercier of Centre de Criblage Marc Bercier Inc. The new ownership structure integrates DH genetics with PRO Seeds distribution to create a more robust, value-laden suite of genetics for Canadian farmers.
PRO Seeds’ founding partners: Bob Hart, Agworks Inc and Roger Fell, Rosebank Seed Farms Ltd retain their shares. PRO Seeds three owner-partners now hold one-third share each in the company.
The new ownership structure signals increased focus on further developing their leadership position in identifying and growing export market opportunities for Canadian soybeans. Growers can already see this reflected in the expanded IP offering in the 2012 PRO Seed Product Guide.
PRO Seeds and Hendrick AgriFoods will continue to pursue partnerships to grow export market opportunities, including the strategic relationships they’ve established over the years with Semences Prograin Inc, University of Guelph, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
PRO Seeds has a long history of developing mutually beneficial relationships with farmers, strategic partners and end users alike. These values and relationships will remain as they are today.
Bob Hart will continue as President, and Dennis O’Connor as General Manager and all day-to-day operations will remain the same. Roger Fell of Rosebank Seeds Farms Ltd and Bob Hart of Agworks Inc will continue producing, processing and warehousing seed for the company.
Bercier and Thomsen-Jung will continue their working relationships with PRO Seeds as dealers. Bercier will also be producing and processing seed for the 2012 season. Marc Bercier, through his independent business Centre de Criblage Marc Bercier Inc, will continue to focus on cereals; specifically the development of gluten-free products and hemp for the health food market. Andreas Thomsen-Jung will take this opportunity to focus on and grow his farm Thomsen-Jung Farms Ltd, Caledonia, Ontario.
About PRO Seeds of Canada
PRO Seeds of Canada, established in 1995, is proud to serve the Canadian farmer. We are a 100% Canadian-owned company. Our shareholders are seed growers, processors and exporters that remain involved with our variety selection, marketing and long-term strategies for the company. Our goal is to provide a high quality product via competitive programs and reliable service.
About Hendrick AgriFoods
Hendrick AgriFoods is a leading contractor and supplier of exclusive lines of Canadian, non-GMO food-grade soybeans to the soy-food industry around the world. We offer our own exclusive proprietary varieties for sale through the PRO Seeds sales network. We export high quality public varieties of non-GMO food-grade soy and natto beans. We provide premium specialty soybeans for specialty markets.
For more information contact:
Dennis O’Connor, General Manager, PRO Seeds of Canada
Email: doconnor@proseeds.ca
Cell: 519-532-1441