May 18, 2007

Around The IndustrySource: Various

Fides Partners With Koppe

Fides North America has announced it is teaming up with begonia breeder Koppe. This collaboration officially started with the begonia line presentation at this year’s Pack Trials. As a result of this cooperation, Fides will offer the Betulia collection.

“Fides is a high-service company with a growing market share of the North American market,” stated Herman Koppe, commercial manager at Koppe. “So they are an excellent partner for us to introduce and supply the American and Canadian growers with the best begonia varieties from our breeding department.”

Jackson & Perkins, Florexpo, McGregor Plant Sales Sign Agreement

Early this month, Jackson & Perkins Wholesale named Florexpo and McGregor Plant Sales Inc. as producer and distributor for the North American market of Suntory genetics in unrooted cuttings. Florexpo will be producing the complete line of Suntory Genetics for the 2007/2008 season. “The addition of Suntory genetics to Florexpo’s product line brings forward incredible garden performers positioned for the independent garden center. Our job will be to make it easy for licensees and flowering growers to obtain cuttings reliably,” stated Doug McQueen, vice president of McGregor Plant Sales.

Syngenta Acquires Rights To Abamectin Manufacturing Technology

Syngenta has announced that Merck & Co. Inc. has granted Syngenta an exclusive license to use Merck’s manufacturing technology for the insecticide abamectin in the field of crop protection, seed treatment, turf and ornamentals. Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

“The license enables Syngenta to significantly expand manufacturing capacity of abamectin while retaining the high purity associated with existing Merck manufacturing processes,” said Mike Stepan, insecticide product line head. “It underwrites our investment to support the growth of Agri-Mek, Avicta, Avid and Proclaim, all key Syngetna brands based on abamectin.”

Stick Stake Program Raises Awareness

According to the Derech Elokim Fund for Jewish Values, at any given time in the United States, there are about 600,000 children in the foster care system. The stick stake campaign is a means of appealing to gardeners to let them know of the need for volunteers and give them the information they needed. The stakes features a photo of a child, a national 800 number and a Web site for people to find out more.

An initial supply of stakes will be provided at no cost to interested growers and retailers. Additional stakes can be ordered from the John Henry Company (www.jhc.com); the part number to order is xyt0001.

For more information, contact louis@nancyandlouisberlin.com or call (305) 778-7971.