巴斯夫9月20日表示，将以$10.2亿美元收购美国种子处理公司Becker Underwood。
Becker 总部位于爱荷华州艾姆斯，是生物种子处理技术、种子处理色素和聚合物以及生物作物保护、草坪和园艺、动物营养和景观着色剂领域产品的全球领先供应商之一和涂料。该公司在全球拥有 10 个生产基地和 479 名员工。巴斯夫与 Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) 达成协议，收购 Becker Underwood，后者自 2004 年以来一直是 NEP 的投资组合公司。此次收购有待相关部门批准，预计交易将于 2012 年底合法完成.
“We are impressed with Becker Underwood’s ability to translate growers’ needs into innovative, tailor-made solutions that can promote higher yields while conserving resources. Becker Underwood is to become part of BASF and we are excited that together with our new colleagues we can continue expanding our competencies. Particularly in the rapidly-growing seed treatment market, we will be able to develop innovative solutions for agriculture,” Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Research Executive Director and member of the BASF board responsible for the Agricultural Solutions segment, said in a statement.
Becker Underwood is expected to achieve sales of $240 million for fiscal year 2012, ending on Sept. 30. As part of the acquisition, BASF’s Crop Protection division will create a strategic global business unit called Functional Crop Care. The unit will merge BASF’s existing research, development and marketing activities in the areas of seed treatment, biological crop protection, plant health, as well as water and resource management with those of Becker Underwood. Becker Underwood’s animal nutrition business will be integrated into BASF’s Nutrition & Health division.
“Becker Underwood has a strong position in North America. We will continue to expand this core business as we expand globally. Together we can sustainably create value for our customers,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “We are thrilled at the prospect of working with the highly-qualified employees at Becker Underwood as we continue to develop our combined businesses.”
Upon receiving the necessary legal approvals, the majority of Becker Underwood’s business will be integrated into BASF’s Crop Protection division. In 2011, the division recorded sales of around €4.2 billion and is expecting another top year in 2012 as well. With its products and services, BASF helps growers to improve their yields and the quality of their products.
资料来源：巴斯夫；由总编辑 Jaclyn Sindrich 编辑