Sepiret® Range of Seed Coating Products to Continue to be Produced in France
Castres, France (September 30, 2002) –
Becker Underwood, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of seed coating technology, recently announced the acquisition of the Sepiret® range of seed colorant and coating products from the French based specialty chemicals company, Seppic. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Along with the Sepiret range of products, Becker Underwood will retain key Seppic sales and technical staff, dedicated to Sepiret business. The product line will continue to be manufactured in Castres, France.
“The Sepiret range of products are an important addition to our existing seed coatings and enhancements product line,” says Dr. Peter Innes, President of Becker Underwood. “We look forward to combining the Sepiret products into our technology base and serve our global seed customers.”
Becker Underwood has become the global leader of seed coatings, colorants, and other seed enhancements since it began producing them nearly 20 years ago.
Philippe Clement, Becker Underwood’s Commercial Development Manager in France, adds, “Customers in Europe will continue to get the Sepiret products they value as well as other highly regarded products from Becker Underwood”. Alex Trassart, long time salesman of Sepiret products says, “Becker Underwood’s global operations allow seed companies to be global-and buy local-from one supplier”.
The Sepiret range of products includes seed coatings, colorants and drying technologies, all adding value to the seed. The coatings are in both ready-to-use liquid formulations as well as dry forms for specific applications.
The Sepiret line of seed products was introduced to the European market in 1985. Claude Vaille has led research and development of the product line since 1995. Vaille will join Becker Underwood and continue to lead research and technical development in Castres, France.
“Becker Underwood brings a global commitment to seed coating and colorant technology,” says Vaille. “Joining these technologies will accelerate the expansion of the Sepiret line and Becker Underwood’s ability to meet a broader range of our global customers’ needs. We can provide companies a consistent seed appearance and predictable plantability anywhere in the world”.
Becker Underwood’s innovative coatings and colorants are compatible with most seed treatment products and provide a technically advanced method of protecting treated seeds. Becker Underwood also manufactures a wide range of specialty seed polymers that bind protective treatments to the seed. All Becker Underwood specialized polymers, dyes and colorants can be used alone or in combination with each other.
Founded in 1982 in Ames, Iowa, USA, Becker Underwood, Inc. is an international developer of bio-agronomic and specialty colorant products. In addition to being the leading U.S. manufacturer of seed coatings and colorants, the company is also the leading global producer of inoculants and beneficial nematodes. The company employs 170 people in North America and 25 in the UK, with production facilities in Ames, Iowa, USA; Saskatoon, Canada; St. Joseph, Missouri, USA, Caldwell, Idaho, USA, and Littlehampton, England. The markets served by Becker Underwood products include seed, production agriculture, wood fiber/mulch, seed treatment, glasshouse, home gardening, turf management, aquaculture, vegetation management forestry, and others. To learn more about its products, visit the company’s web site at www.beckerunderwood.com.
