Boise, Idaho
April 24, 2008
Syngenta announced plans today to construct a
technologically-advanced seed processing facility in Pasco, WA.
The facility will be located on approximately 40 acres of land
and will be designed and equipped to process sweet corn seed and
small-seeded vegetables seed. Construction is expected to begin
this summer with a completion date set for fall 2009. The
company expects to employ 27 full-time employees at the Pasco
site.
“This new plant will significantly enhance Syngenta’s leadership
position as a provider of high quality vegetables seeds,” said
Dan Burdett, Head of the vegetables business in North America
for Syngenta Seeds / ROGERS® Brand. The new, state-of-the-art
plant in Pasco will provide significant seed processing
advantages and improved efficiencies.
Over the next 18 months, the company will transfer sweet corn
and small-seeded vegetables seed processing activities from its
current plants in Nampa, ID, and Gilroy, CA, to the Pasco plant.
Syngenta’s North American vegetables seed business will continue
to have a strong presence in Idaho’s Treasure Valley with its
headquarters in Boise and Research and Development center in
Nampa.
Finally, in line with the company’s direction toward high
quality, differentiated vegetables, Syngenta also announced its
intention to divest its shell pea and dry bean businesses in the
future.
These decisions will result in the phased relocations or
lay-offs of less than 50 full-time employees across the various
sites. Syngenta will work closely with affected employees to
support them through the transition.
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to
sustainable agriculture through innovative research and
technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and
ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in
2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over
21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on
the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). |
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