Dutch-Based Company Purchases Ecke Ranch

Last night, the Ecke Ranch announced it has been acquired by the Dutch-based Agribio Group reported Greenhouse Product News and FloraCulture International Thursday.

“I have been looking for the right opportunity to elevate Ecke Ranch to a new level of excellence," Paul Ecke III says. "Our combined companies will enhance the strong brand name, high standards for quality, reliability and excellence in poinsettia as well as geranium breeding. Our customers are changing rapidly. As a primary breeder and supplier our role is ever-expanding. We need a strong partner to support our continuing innovation and provide our customers more options. Agribio Group is the ideal fit to partner with as we look to the future.”

Harry Kloppenburg, CEO of Agribio Group says: “I am thrilled that Agribio Group becomes a top three player in the North American vegetative market. We are so proud to support the Ecke brand name and prominence in the industry. Ecke Ranch, together with Fides Oro, makes the right platform to form a positive and lasting impact on our industry. We very much look forward to the success of our new venture and the solutions it will bring to our customers and market.”

“With the acquisition by Agribio Group, Ecke Ranch is well positioned to address the needs of the supply chain. Our team remains committed to our poinsettia breeding and our customers," says Andy Higgins, president of Ecke Ranch. "Agribio Group will be a catalyst to further our efforts, which will be recognized by our customers through enhanced breeding, innovative supply chain solutions, and more focused retail programs.”

For the 2012-2013 sales season, sales and marketing programs will remain as published. Ecke Ranch will continue with a "business as usual" approach to support brokers and customers post close. Ecke Ranch’s large technical support network will continue providing excellent after sales support to foster customer success.

Andy Higgins, President of Ecke Ranch: ´´With this acquisition Ecke Ranch is well positioned to address the needs of the supply chain partners. Our team remains committed to our poinsettia breeding and our customers. Agribio Group will be a catalyst to further our efforts through enhanced breeding, innovative supply chain solutions, and more focused retail programs.

Agribio Group is active in 56 countries and trades over one billion cuttings per year. The company is a global top-3 player in terms of breeding and vegetative propagation of plants and flowers. The Agribio Group includes top breeding companies such as Fides, Japan Agribio, Barberet & Blanc, Bartels Stek and Lex+. The company has 2,400 employees and annual sales of around 90 million euro.

Ecke Ranch is world market leader in Poinsettias. As a prominent breeder of flowering plants with a history of nearly 100 years, the company belongs to the top 5 cutting producers in the United States. With facilities in The United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Denmark and Spain, Ecke Ranch employs or contracts more than 1,000 staff dedicated to research and development, production, marketing and sales.