Sakata Seed America, Morgan Hill, Calif., has acquired lettuce seed company Vanguard Seed.
Vanguard’s seed team joins Sakata Seed America, and its breeding, seed production, sales and marketing will be integrated under the Sakata brand, according to a news release.
John Nelson, vice president of Sakata Seed America, said the purchase was mutually advantageous.
‘‘Sakata is a market leader in multiple segments, including broccoli, and has an excellent reputation for quality, reliability and service in the Salinas Valley and beyond,” he said in the release. “We believe this opportunity will create great synergy for both the lettuce and broccoli markets.”
The acquisition allows Sakata to accelerate development of lettuce varieties for global markets and position the company as a major player in the lettuce market, he said in the release.
The company will retain Vanguard’s Salinas warehouse and office.
“Sakata is a leader in the broccoli segment in the Salinas Valley and beyond; together we can create a similar success story for lettuce,’ Dave Henson, co-owner of Vanguard Seed, said in the release.
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