Newswise — Global plant-breeding company KWS SAAT AG strengthens its position in North America with the opening of its new research facility, the KWS Gateway Research Center (GRC), in St. Louis.
The new facility is part of an initial capital investment of $6.5 million by KWS SAAT AG in the region. By mid-2015, the center will employ approximately 25 people and ultimately up to 75 researchers and technicians in 2020.
“We are delighted to open this new center for our cutting-edge plant science research in a region of the United States that is distinguished by an excellent research environment with access to the skilled resources we need,” said Léon Broers, Member of the KWS Executive Board and responsible for research and breeding.
Broers attended the opening reception at the KWS GRC. Events for the opening included a science briefing, followed by a reception and remarks by Broers.
Derek Bartlem, KWS Head of Research USA, is the managing director of the KWS Gateway Research Center, situated within the BioResearch and Development and Growth (BRDG) Park.
The center will be an integral part of the KWS network of research activities and breeding stations. Work at the center will include a combination of basic research and product development, supported by existing facilities in BRDG Park, as well as by an excellent infrastructure and a top-quality science platform.
About KWSKWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. More than 4,800 employees in 70 countries generated net sales of € 1.178 billion in fiscal 2013/2014. For more than 150 years KWS has operated as an independent company with a tradition of family ownership. Its main areas of work lie in the breeding of varieties and the production and sale of seed for corn, sugar beet, cereals, potatoes, oil-seed rape and sunflower. The company invests 13 percent of its annual net sales in research and development. KWS uses state-of-the-art plant breeding methods and technologies to continuously improve variety yields and resistances to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. Further information: www.kws.com or follow on Twitter @KWS_Group. #KWSGRCSTL
RSS