PRESS RELEASE
Basingstoke, UK — Genus plc (LSE: GNS) is pleased to announce that PIC has entered into definitive agreements with Olymel LP, a leader in the Canadian agrifood industry, for provision of genetic products and services in connection with the Olymel’s AlphaGene porcine genetic improvement program. Olymel is the largest porcine producer in Canada with capacity for over 185,000 pigs per week and under the transaction, PIC has acquired all intellectual property in Olymel’s elite porcine genetics for a consideration of Canadian $25 million. The parties have also entered into an exclusive long term genetics collaboration agreement, where PIC will supply elite germplasm and manage the ongoing genetic improvement of Olymel’s AlphaGene genetics. Other commercial terms of the transaction are confidential. PIC will use its proprietary genetics, technologies and services to accelerate genetic gain consistent with Olymel’s strategic genetic goals. Olymel will continue to distribute the AlphaGene genetics through its internal multiplication program and to its independent producer herds in Canada. The collaboration combines PIC’s expertise in porcine genetic improvement with Olymel’s leading porcine production facilities, enabling Olymel’s customers to benefit from improved AlphaGene health, efficiency and breakthrough technologies. The collaboration with Olymel increases PIC’s footprint in the Canadian porcine genetics market and will better allow both parties to serve pork producers across Canada.
«Bill Christianson, COO of PIC, said: “We are excited to be working with Olymel, the leading Canadian pig producer, with a focus on differentiated product quality. The complementary nature of PIC’s leading genetics, and Olymel’s significant production facilities will benefit customers of AlphaGene genetics throughout the porcine production pyramid.”
Paul Beauchamp First Vice-president, Olymel LP added: “PIC is a world leader in porcine genetic improvement, demonstrating the improved value, health and efficiency of animals from their genetics programs year after year. With this collaboration we intend to accelerate performance of our AlphaGene genetics, providing increased value for all of our customers.”
ABOUT GENUS
Genus advances animal breeding and genetic improvement by applying biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers. Its technology is applicable across livestock
species and is currently commercialised by Genus in the dairy, beef and pork food production sectors. Genus’s worldwide sales are made in over 80 countries under the trademarks ‘ABS’ (dairy and beef
cattle) and ‘PIC’ (pigs) and comprise semen, embryos and breeding animals with superior genetics to those animals currently in farms. Genus’s customers’ animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency and quality, and our customers use them to supply the global dairy and meat supply chains.
Genus’s competitive edge comes from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global supply chain, technical service and
sales and distribution network. Headquartered in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, Genus companies operate in over 24 countries on six
continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
ABOUT OLYMEL
Olymel est au Canada le chef de file dans le secteur de la production, de la transformation et de la distribution des viandes de porc et de volaille. L’entreprise s’est donnée pour mission de nourrir le monde avec passion et avec des produits dont la qualité est irréprochable. Employant plus de 14 000 personnes, l’entreprise possède des établissements de production et de transformation au Québec, en Ontario, en Alberta, en Saskatchewan et au Nouveau-Brunswick. Olymel exporte près du tiers de ses ventes totales. Son chiffre d’affaires annuel est de l’ordre de 4,5 milliards de dollars. L’entreprise commercialise ses produits principalement sous les marques Olymel, Lafleur, Flamingo, La Fernandière, Pinty’s, Tour Eiffel et F. Ménard.
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For further information, please contact:
Genus plc Tel. : UK : 011+44 1256 347100
Stephen Wilson, Chief Executive Officer
Alison Henriksen, Chief Financial Officer
Buchanan Communications Tel. : UK : 011+44 207 466 5000
Charles Ryland / Chris Lane
Olymel l.p.
Richard Vigneault
Corporate Communications
From Canada
Tel. : 514-497-1385
450-771-0400 OR 1-800-463-7568