Lesaffre has acquired Van Wert, Ohio-based Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM), a company that specializes in the development of bionutrition products for field crops in the American Midwest. ABM's teams will join those of Agrauxine by Lesaffre, Lesaffre's business unit dedicated to crop protection.
Agrauxine by Lesaffre has been developing biosourced solutions for plant nutrition and health for more than 15 years. Agrauxine will pursue ABM projects, including two new biocontrol technologies. These strategic technologies will be commercialized in the US market in the next few years.
According to Dan Custis, CEO of ABM, Agrauxine's acquisition of ABM brings together two companies that develop innovative products with unique formulations. “This partnership creates the first company of its kind to bring its expertise in biological seed treatment, biostimulants and foliar biopesticides for a complete range of biological products,” he says. “The future is bright as our companies will combine their R&D, manufacturing, sales and marketing expertise to continue to deliver innovative solutions to our customers in North America and around the world.”
Lesaffre has been present in the United States since the 1980s and has expanded its manufacturing capabilities since then. Lesaffre currently employs over 500 people in its various US manufacturing sites and marketing centers.
"This acquisition is part of our strategy to develop new solutions derived from micro-organisms, such as yeasts, bacteria and fungi, that respect the environment,” says Antoine Baule, CEO of Lesaffre.
Adds Hugo Bony, CEO of Agrauxine by Lesaffre: “Following the merger with ABM, we are taking on a whole new dimension in the American market. We have strong ambitions for growth in this market and this local presence, as close as possible to our customers, will be a considerable advantage.”
