Modesto, California
May 22, 2008
LIMAGRAIN, the fourth largest seed
group in the world has recently unveiled a new structure for its
Vegetable Seed Operations. As part of this new structure,
HARRIS
MORAN will develop close operational links with
CLAUSE and
MARCO
POLO. The stated goal, of what will be called a Business Unit,
is for the three companies to align their global operations
around an enlarged and fully consolidated R&D effort.
With over $200 Million in seed sales, the newly created Business
Unit will rank in the top five of the global vegetable seed
industry, breeding 23 different species on five continents.
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Bruno
CARETTE |
Harris Moran, with headquarters in Modesto, CA, becomes the
operational hub of the Business Unit for the America-Pacific
region, encompassing North and South America as well as
Australia and New Zealand. The BU subsidiaries in Mexico,
Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand will be part
of this scope. Another hub for the BU will be Clause,
headquartered in Valence, France, servicing the Europe, Middle
East and Africa regions. The BU organization in Asia will be
announced at a later date. The region based approach is designed
to increase customer focus at all levels of operations. The
fully consolidated R&D effort represents a three fold increase
versus the existing Harris Moran stand alone programs.
As of May 20th, 2008, Matthew JOHNSTON becomes President and COO
of Harris Moran as well as Deputy CEO of the Business Unit,
reporting to Bruno CARETTE, CEO. Maurice SMITH, previously
President and COO of Harris Moran will take over another
assignment within Groupe LIMAGRAIN. This new assignment will be
announced at a later date.
Jack METZELAAR, presently VP of Sales and Marketing for Harris
Moran will relocate to Valence, France to take the position of
Head of Sales for the Business Unit. He will be replaced at
Harris Moran by Dan BAILEY, Director of USA & Canada Sales and
Andre CARIOU VP, International Sales.
Matthew JOHNSTON comments that “The implementation of the
Business Unit will allow us to strengthen our position in the
strategic markets of the region starting with NAFTA. Our
distribution partners will be closely associated with this
exciting development and the birth of the newly configured
company.” |
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Jack METZELAAR |
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Matthew JOHNSTON |
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