Strategic alliance formed between Groupe Grimaud and Newsham Choice Genetics

West Des Moines - Iowa, USA (Newsham) and Groupe Grimaud, France (Grimaud), have entered into an agreement to form a long term strategic alliance.

 

Newsham is currently the 2nd largest supplier of swine genetics in the North American market.

 

Grimaud is the 2nd largest multi-species poultry genetics group supplying customers in more than 100 countries from its European, US, Brazilian and Asian facilities.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Grimaud takes an important interest in Bucolica BV, the Netherlands based company holding a major interest in Newsham. The Newsham original ownership: Bucolica, the Mitchell family, and key Newsham employees remain in control.

 

This powerful alliance strengthens the acceleration of Newsham’s business development outside North America and seeks synergies in the field of research and development.

 

Newsham Choice Genetics has extensive experience in the North American market, supplemented by the recent acquisition of Monsanto Choice Genetics. Newsham will continue to develop its R&D and commercial activities in the swine genetics business through maintaining the original focus on North America as well as pursuing selective expansion in new markets in collaboration with the global network of Grimaud.

 

Grimaud’s investment in Bucolica occurs through its new holding, "Pig Genetics Development Company", which will be the vehicle for its development in the swine genetics business particularly in Europe and Asia, headed by Pieter Seghers who has extensive experience in this industry.

 

Frédéric Grimaud, president of Groupe Grimaud declares: "I am very pleased with this agreement. It fits perfectly with our long term strategy to develop a global animal multi-species genetics group. This alliance brings a new promising dimension into our Group.”

 

Brent Mitchell, Co-CEO of Newsham says: "Newsham Choice Genetics has excellent products and technologies which now can be offered to the pig industry on a worldwide basis through the alliance with the Grimaud Group."

 

Mark Weaver, Co-CEO of Newsham explains: "We expect further synergies from this alliance. Both groups have a strong focus on technology, and we believe that the interaction of the two independent science based teams will lead to new R&D results."

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About Groupe Grimaud

www.grimaud.fr

With a turn over of 150 M€ realized in more than 100 countries, Groupe Grimaud is the second multi-species poultry genetics group in the world and develops its businesses in the fields of animal genetics and biotechnologies serving human and animal health. Groupe Grimaud employs 1,400 people in its different subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, USA and Brazil.

 

Contact: Delphine Cesbron delphine.cesbron@grimaud.fr

 

About Newsham Choice Genetics

www.newsham.com

Newsham Choice Genetics is the second largest swine genetics supplier in North America supplying its genetics to over 1.1 million sows. The company is the leader of marker assisted selection in pigs; using 6,000 SNPs in discovery and selection, and offers a variety of high-performance maternal and terminal products to the swine industry. Newsham employs approximately 100 people.

 

Contact: Jim Schirmer jim_schirmer@newsham.com