Research Seeds, Inc. announced today its acquisition of Seed Research of Oregon, an internationally recognized leader in the research, development and marketing of turfgrasses.

"The move completes research, operational and marketing agreements that have been in effect between the two companies for several years. It’s an important step in the achievement of our ongoing objective of being the leader in the professional segment of the turf market and a recognized force in the consumer market for high-quality, improved turfgrass products," said Bill Whitacre, president and CEO of Research Seeds.

"This agreement provides a tremendous opportunity for Seed Research of Oregon in our continuing efforts to provide innovative, value-added products and unsurpassed service and value to the turf industry," said Mike Robinson, founder and president of Seed Research of Oregon.

Seed Research of Oregon is located in Corvallis, Oregon, in the heart of the Willamette Valley, the major grass seed production area of the world. "Our new product development is two-fold – maintaining our current effort in cool-season grasses and expanding the warm-season grass program. We’re convinced the market for improved warm-season grasses presents the industry’s most rapid growth opportunity for the next decade," Robinson said.

Turf division reorganization

Operations of Royal Seeds, a division of Research Seeds and provider of high-quality Royal(R) brand forage and turf products to wholesale and end-user customers since 1933, will be merged with those of Seed Research of Oregon, Whitacre reported. The combined group will continue to offer both SR(R) brand and Royal brand products to the marketplace.

Robinson will head the combined group as president of Seed Research of Oregon. Tom Pape has been named Managing Director of Operations. Both will maintain their Corvallis, Oregon, offices. Bill Junk has been named Managing Director of Turf Products and will lead that effort from St. Joseph, Missouri.

Research Seeds is recognized as a worldwide leader in the development, production and marketing of proprietary forage and turf seed and agricultural microbial products.

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