AgroPages-Inocucor acquires ATP Nutrition-Agricultural news

Inocucor Corporation announced it has acquired ATP Nutrition, a producer of science-based plant nutrients based in Oak Bluff, Manitoba, Canada. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Crop nutrients, such as those produced by ATP Nutrition and biologicals, such as Inocucor's, are designed to work together to boost plant health and grower yields. ATP will continue to operate as a plant nutrient supplier to canola, soybean, corn, pulse and cereal growers through its broad distribution network throughout North America.

A key initiative of the new entity will be a collaborative effort by Inocucor's and ATP's R&D teams to develop products that synergistically drive the genetic potential of the crop by combining biologicals and plant nutrition. Products will be formulated based on plant type, geography and soil conditions.

"The combination of biologicals, such as Inocucor's SYNERGRO® and SYNERGRO FREE™, with plant nutrients in ready-to-use combinations is unique in the ag sector," said Donald R. Marvin, president and CEO of Inocucor. "This strategic partnership is the first major step toward Inocucor's vision to offer a broad range of products that support farmers across their crop nutrient and biological needs."

“Our scientific team will now be able to work with Inocucor's top-notch R&D team to expand our science into new product formulations that balance macro and micronutrients with biologicals for agriculture. We'll also expand our geographic reach into new regions and crop markets," said Jarrett Chambers, president of ATP Nutrition, who will be the president and general manager of this wholly owned subsidiary of Inocucor.

Marvin said the acquisition, while complementing Inocucor's core existing biological inputs business, will also help drive the company to profitability over the short- to medium-term. Inocucor will continue to market ATP Nutrition's micronutrient product line through its existing sales force and distributor network throughout North America. Inocucor also will continue to operate ATP's 25,000-square-foot EPA-registered R&D formulation and manufacturing facility, which also serves as headquarters for its 23 employees.

In May, Inocucor will occupy its new 30,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters and commercialization office currently under construction in Centennial, Colo. Its Montreal-based, R&D-focused Technical Center of Excellence was recently expanded from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet. The company employs about 40 people in Montreal and the U.S., and anticipates adding another 25 to 30 high-level scientific and managerial professionals over the next year.