Pickseed bought by Danish company

LINDSAY — After 55 years in the industry, Tom and Martin Pick are handing over the reins to their company.

Pickseed Canada – which has eight national locations, including Lindsay – Pickseed USA and Seed Research of Oregon has been purchased by DLF-TRIFOLIUM A/S, the Danish world market leader in temperate grass and clover seed.

In addition to retaining the Pickseed brand – Pickseed also operates under the Mapleseed, Seed Research of Oregon and TurfOne brand names – it is anticipated the European company will also maintain all North American locations and staffing. Job cuts are not anticipated.

“The company has been exploring different options for the succession of the company for many years,” said Tom Pick who co-founded the company in 1947 with his brother, Martin; the two men striving to make Pickseed a North American leader in the development, production and distribution of turfgrass and forage crops seeds.

Mr. Pick said his company has dealt with DFL for a number of years, both buying and selling seed to the company. That long-standing business relationship, along with DLF’s own strong entity – having been around since the early 1900s – created the perfect vehicle to “carry forward and develop the Pickseed business and legacy.”

“It creates wonderful opportunities going down the road,” said Mr. Pick noting the sale also benefits the Danish company. “They operate in 14 different countries around the world, but have no physical presence in Canada.”

DLF-TRIFOLIUM is owned by 4,000 Danish grass seed growers and has subsidiaries or sales offices in Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, China, New Zealand, South America and the US. It’s “global reach”, said Mr. Pick, will enable Pickseed to extend its reach and develop stronger connections to international markets.

When it comes to research and development, the acquisition is a “good growth opportunity”, said Mr. Pick, as DLF has a “very science-based” and extensive research program which will positively impact similar efforts by the North American-based sites.

Mr. Pick added the company liked the way Pickseed has been positioning itself in the marketplace and were also impressed with president and CEO Robert Clark and his strong administrative team.

“The addition of The Pickseed Companies Group is a major strategic step forward for the DLF-TRIFOLIUM Group,” noted CEO Truels Damsgaard. “Pickseed is a true turfgrass and forage crop seeds company, and it has a strong organization with dedicated employees. We have a common understanding of the products and everything entailed in this segment of the seeds industry.”

The acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions. It expectes to be finalized in August.

Read the original article from My Kawartha