The J.R. Simplot Company has finalized the purchase of turfgrass seed and specialty distribution assets from AgriBioTech^™, Inc. (ABT). The deal was negotiated through ABT’s court-appointed reorganization consultant, Development Specialist Inc. (DSI). Terms of Simplot’s transaction include the production and marketing rights for a number of industry leading turfgrass seed varieties, various international production contracts as well as ownership of several distribution locations. The seed varieties include:

• L-93 creeping bentgrass
• Southshore creeping bentgrass
• Jamestown II chewings fescue
• Jaguar 3 turf-type tall fescue

Additionally, Simplot has acquired the distribution locations of Garden West, Phoenix, Ariz.; Hill of Kentucky, Florence, KY; and Las Vegas Fertilizer, Las Vegas, Nev. They have also acquired the rights to a number of trademarks of famous product lines such as Signature^™ bentgrass blend and Pinto^™ wildflowers mixtures.

"We are extremely pleased to acquire seed varieties and distribution locations of this caliber," says Simplot (Turf & Horticulture) President, Bill Whitacre. "Proven and well-respected varieties such as L-93 bentgrass compliment and further strengthen our already strong turfgrass program of bluegrasses, ryegrasses, fescues, bermudas and zoysia. It’s a natural fit for many ABT varieties to be marketed by the Jacklin Seed^® division of Simplot (Turf & Horticulture) due to our global influence."

Simplot looks forward to working with the three new distribution locations that have demonstrated for many years a strong commitment to quality service.

Simplot (Turf & Horticulture) brings together highly regarded names in the industry including Jacklin Seed^®, former Medalist America^®, JacklinGolf^®, BEST^® and APEX^® professional fertilizers. Featuring state-of-the-art technologies, Simplot (Turf & Horticulture) is a leader in turfgrass and professional fertilizer products around the world.