Paul Ayres, Chief Executive Officer of the Germain’s Technology Group, has announced his retirement and will leave the business at the end of 2004, after nineteen years with the Company.  Paul joined Germain’s as an Agronomist, following a research career at the Weed Research Organisation in the UK and became General Manager of the UK business in 1988.

During this time, Germain’s moved from being a family-owned, US business founded in 1871, to becoming a member of Berisford International in 1987. Associated British Foods Plc acquired the Seed Technology Division of Germain’s from Berisford International in early 1991, at which time Paul was nominated as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Involved primarily in customised technology services serving the sugar and horticultural industry in the USA and the United Kingdom, Germain’s, under Paul’s leadership, became the world’s largest independent provider of seed enhancement technology, serving a global customer base from nine strategic locations. Acquisitions, partnerships and alliances during the period also enhanced Germain’s expertise in developing a wide portfolio of seed technology products and services over a substantial range of seed species.

Paul Ayres’s dedication to excellence and innovation, and his strong belief in bringing value to agriculture and horticulture through seed technology will be recognised as the driving force which has made Germain’s what it is today.

Germain’s Technology Group, a member of Associated British Foods plc, provides seed enhancement and coating services and technology products from nine world locations.