On 4 December German-based BASF announced the acquisition of Sorex. This news ends many months of speculation as to who the new owners of this industry leader would be.
In the official BASF press release it details that the deal includes US-based Whitmire Micro-Gen and UK-based Sorex Ltd. It continues by saying that this deal will give BASF an increased presence in the two most important pest control markets worldwide – the USA and Europe.
| Michael Heinz, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division, said: “We are convinced that combining our existing pest control business and research capabilities with the Sorex Group portfolio and expertise with application technology will strengthen us on several fronts. We will diversify into the US general insect control segment and solidify our position in Europe. Combining our research and development capabilities will help us bring even more innovative solutions to pest management professionals.” Commenting on the news, Sion Price, Sorex Commercial Director said: “The agreement with BASF to acquire our entire business is excellent news for our employees, customers and the pest control industry as a whole.” Sorex has approximately 200 employees and net sales of around £65 million in 2007, mainly in Europe and the USA. |
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Sion Price continued: “We see this creating a professional pest control business second to none in the world. It will have the resources and skills to ensure a level of product development and support that will stand pest controllers in the very best, long-term stead. Our whole team is excited by the prospect of working with a business with which we have such a good product and geographic fit as well as a shared commitment to technical excellence. He concluded by saying: “It is very much business as usual for us all at Sorex the acquisition moves forward as rapidly as regulatory approval will allow. Customer service will be our over-riding concern throughout so everyone continues to receive the products and services they know and value from the people they trust.” We all wish them all the best of luck. |
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