August 16, 2001 • Ames, IA – Becker Underwood, Inc., the leading manufacturer and marketer of Rhizobium inoculants, seed coatings, specialty colorants and other bio-agronomic products, announces the acquisition of the RhizUp™ brand of inoculants from Eco Soil Systems, Inc. The acquisition includes the RhizUp brand, licenses, labels, and all production and marketing rights.
“This acquisition is part of 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, company CEO.
In August of 2000, Becker Underwood acquired UK-based Micro Bio, Ltd., and MBR in Saskatoon, Canada, and their line of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. Today the company specializes in the discovery, scale-up fermentation and formulation of a variety of products based on naturally occurring microorganisms that help maximize yield and protect plants from pests and disease.
Murray Trapp, managing director of MBR in Saskatoon will also direct the production and marketing of the RhizUp line. "We are extremely pleased to add a product that will broaden the proven bio-solutions we offer the market," he said.
RhizUp granular and liquid inoculants provide beneficial organisms to peas, lentils and beans, offering growers the opportunity to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers. Trapp indicated that the company will focus its sales of RhizUp products in Canada.
Founded in 1982 in Ames, Iowa, Becker Underwood is an international developer of products for the seed, ag, turf, and green house markets with production facilities in Ames; Saskatoon, Canada; and Littlehampton, England. The company manufactures and markets a variety of specialty colorants and bio-agronomic products for turf management, agriculture, seed treatment, wood recycling, aquaculture, vegetation management, forestry, and structural pest control industries. To learn more about their products, visit the web site at www.beckerunderwood.com
