Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S Denmark is pleased to announce
the acquisition of the Osteospermum Cape Daisy® Breeding
programme from Ecke Europe ApS and PLA International ApS.
Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S has as
of March 12, 2004 acquired the Osteospermum Cape Daisy® Breeding
programme from Ecke Europe ApS and PLA International ApS. This
acquisition will strengthen and ensure the continuation of an
active breeding programme for Osteospermum Cape Daisy® series
after the retirement of Mr. Carl Aksel Kragh Sørensen, the
original breeder and creator of this world famous series. Mr.
Sørensen will act as a consultant in the future breeding
programme 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. With this, and with
the addition of the genetics from the Osteospermum Side series
of Sakata, it is foreseen that exciting new programme of
Osteospermum will be created for future markets.
Marketing and promotion will be
spearheaded by a steering committee from Sakata Ornamentals
Europe A/S and PLA®, the European license and marketing
organisation of the Paul Ecke Ranch in the USA. This is seen as
an exciting beginning of co-operation between the two companies.
Grower distribution will be via
the European Distribution of Sakata Ornamentals Europe A/S and
the nominated licensees of PLA®. Distribution in the USA will be
by the Paul Ecke Ranch, California.
Cape Daisy®
Today the world-leading Osteospermum
series Cape Daisy® consists of a broad selection of
easy-to-produce varieties.
The breeding focus has been on
consumer satisfaction which has resulted in varieties in a full
colour range of white - yellow - peach - terracotta - pink -
rose and purple with beautiful flower forms, good garden
performance and fl owers that stay open even in low light
conditions. Furthermore a range of varieties with exciting
spoon-shaped petals is available in white- cream - pink -
purple. The Cape Daisy presentation is being enhanced at retail
level through the use of labels, tags, sleeves and printed pots
available through ElmerPrint A/S and Rosti OS.
For a description of each Cape
Daisy® variety and for information about Cape Daisy® POS
materials, please visit the website www.capedaisy.com
Cape Daisy® will join the range
of quality leading product brands currently owned by Sakata
Ornamentals Europe A/S, e.g.: Primula Danova, Begonia
Ambassador, Gerbera Festival, Begonia Fortune and Platycodon
Astra.