October 29, 2003 • Ames, IA –
Becker Underwood, a global leader in inoculants and other seed enhancement products, today announced it has formed Becker Underwood Argentina S.A. and has begun commercial activities in Argentina. The business in Argentina will be an expansion of its South American activities from Brazil and Paraguay and represents a total commitment to its growth in South America. Becker Underwood Argentina has introduced its seed enhancements as well as other agricultural products into the market.
“The expanding South American marketplace is a very exciting opportunity for Becker Underwood, and we are investing in expanding our reach into Argentina,” says Becker Underwood President Dr. Peter Innes. “Expanding into Argentina greatly increases our ability to provide customers with leading products and technologies,” Innes reports. “Our global production abilities give us the flexibility to supply our customers quickly and in whatever formulation they require.”
Becker Underwood Argentina S.A. will be led locally by Carlos Salvador who has in excess of 25 years in agribusiness in Argentina. “We have a lot of possibilities to introduce new technologies and products in Argentina through our newly formed company,” says Becker Underwood South American Business Manager Greg Waibel. “The customers and producers in Argentina have expressed tremendous interest in vast portfolio of products as they are unique to the marketplace and are of leading technology.”
Becker Underwood has grown to become one of the world’s largest producers of bio-agronomic ingredients and specialty products. Since its founding in 1982, the company has expanded steadily through new product development and strategic acquisitions and expansion into new markets.
According to Becker Underwood CEO, Roger Underwood, “Becker Underwood continues to expand our global reach to better serve customers. We are continuing to pursue our strategy of thinking global and acting local. Our new presence through Becker Underwood Argentina S.A. is yet another example of our strategy with our customers as our primary focus. We are excited to bring our products and technologies to the Argentine marketplace and to the producers. We know that the Argentine producers will benefit from our presence in many ways.”
Becker Underwood inoculant brands used on soybean and legume crops include: HiStick®, HiCoat®, Nod+®, Gelfix® .MicroFix, BioRhiz, Nodulator®, RhizoFix, Dormal and Soy Sterile. Leading bio-pesticide brands are Nemasys®, Nematac® and Nemaslug for the turf, agriculture and nursery markets. Company operations are located in Ames, Iowa; St. Joseph, Mo.; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Littlehampton, U.K.; Caldwell, Idaho; Curitiba, Brazil; Toulouse, France and now Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Founded in 1982 in Ames, Iowa, Becker Underwood is an international supplier of products for the seed, agriculture, landscape, turf and greenhouse markets. The company manufacturers and markets a variety of bio-agronomic and specialty colorant products for turf management, agriculture, seed treatment, wood mulch, aquaculture, vegetation management forestry and many other industries. To learn more, visit the company’s web site at www.beckerunderwood.com.