Sakata and Ecke form Osteospermum powerhouse

Morgan Hill, California
March 15, 2004

Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S has on March 12, 2004 acquired the Osteospermum Cape DaisyÒ breeding program from Ecke Europe ApS and PLA International ApS. This acquisition will strengthen and allow the continuation of an active breeding program for the Osteospermum Cape Daisy series after the retirement of Dr. Carl Sørensen. Dr. Sørensen will act as a consultant in the future breeding program and the breeder of the series on the market today, Niels Kristensen, will join the new Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S breeding team lead by Dr. Masao Bessho. By combining the Cape line with the Osteospermum Side, Side Show and Crescendo series of Sakata, we believe many exciting new Osteospermum will be created for years to come.

Distribution in the USA will be via licenses awarded by the Paul Ecke Ranch, California. Plants in North America are marketed by Ecke within the Flower Fields program and will include the three new colors of Crescendo Osteospermum x dimorphotheca,  new heat tolerant Side Show Osteospermum, the day neutral Colorburst PRO Calibrachoa and Portulaca Yubi Summer Joy series.

Marketing and promotion in Europe will be spearheaded by a steering committee from Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S and PLA^Ò, the European marketing organization of the Paul Ecke Ranch in the USA. Grower distribution will be via the European Distribution of Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S and the nominated licensees of PLA.

This cooperation between the Paul Ecke Ranch and Sakata is a continuation of over 5 years of marketing and breeding between the two companies. With Sakata offering breeding and product development expertise to the plant cutting production and marketing energies of Ecke, both firms have been able to leverage core strengths. “This relationship puts the two top Osteospermum breeding programs together, I expect to see a continual supply of great products – building on the success of Sides series, Crescendo and the Cape Daisy line” quotes Paul Ecke III, CEO of the Paul Ecke Ranch, he continues, “I deeply value what we and Sakata have accomplished, a true case of synergy between organizations”.  Paul Bennett, President of Sakata Seed America, Inc. echoed Ecke’s words, “Sakata and Ecke have a long standing partnership and have collaborated for a number of years on programs such as the successful market introduction of Colorburst Calibrachoa. This arrangement represents the superb blend of Sakata’s breeding expertise and Ecke’s excellent production and marketing”.

Sakata Seed America, Inc. is located in Morgan Hill, California.  The company provides high quality flower and vegetable seed.