GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of 100% of the shares in AgReliant Genetics, a leading North American provider of corn and soybean seeds. The acquisition represents a major step forward in GDM’s North American growth strategy. By combining AgReliant’s market leadership in corn breeding and genetics in the USA with GDM’s global scale and reputation for world-class innovation in elite row crop genetics, GDM can deliver greater innovation, value and choice to North American farmers.
“Today marks a transformative moment in the history of our company and journey in the North American market,” said Ignacio Bartolomé, chief executive officer (CEO), GDM. “By welcoming AgReliant into the GDM family, we are creating a North American agricultural powerhouse poised to offer farmers an unmatched portfolio of high-performance seed solutions in soybeans and corn.”
The completion of the acquisition significantly expands GDM’s North American footprint, which now includes GDM’s leading soybean genetic licensing business and DONMARIO, Mustang, Revere and Virtue brands, as well as critical AgReliant assets such as the well-known AgriGold®, LG Seeds and PRIDE® Seeds brands; one of the world’s largest temperate corn genetic pools; and the fourth largest corn research program in North America.
With today’s transaction close, GDM enhances its position as the global leader in soybean genetics and rises to become the fourth-largest corn genetics provider worldwide. Brian Barker, formerly CEO of AgReliant, takes on the role of GDM’s North American President effective immediately.
“Today marks a powerful step forward as we unite under a shared purpose – to be exceptional partners to our customers and advance agriculture in a way that consistently drives higher seed and yield performance,” said Barker. “Together, we are building a more powerful, innovative and integrated portfolio of seed solutions that creates more choice, more value and greater yield potential to North American growers.”
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MAP LATAM served as advisor and Rabobank as co-advisor to the transaction.
GDM is a global group dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of intellectual property products in plant genetics for row crops. With an innovative approach, the company integrates advanced technologies and exceptional talent to promote innovation, collaboration, and the development of new businesses that positively impact the agro-industrial value chain. GDM operates in 15 countries and has a team of 3,400 employees. See all author stories here.