Best of both worlds: Biobest to acquire Real IPM Kenya
In a major development to accelerate biocontrol methods in agriculture in many parts of the world Biobest and Real IPM Kenya have announced that they have entered into an agreement with a view for Biobest to acquire Real IPM Kenya Ltd in 2017.
Stronger together
Biobest, headquartered in Belgium, is a leading player in bumblebee pollination and biological control offers a complete range of natural crop care solutions. The company takes pride in providing growers with tailor-made advice to achieve their economic and environmental goals.
Real IPM Kenya, headquartered in Thika just outside Nairobi, Kenya, is the foremost biocontrol solutions provider in Kenya and the larger Eastern Africa and seeks to design and implement robust IPM programs which actively replace pesticide inputs and improve crop quality and yields for growers and consumers.
Biocontrol has bright future
“We started Real IPM Kenya about 15 years ago,” say Henry Wainwright and Louise Labuschagne, the company’s co-founders, owners and directors. “Opportunities for further growth abound”.
Henry Wainwright adds: “I will continue on as General Manager of Real IPM Kenya for the next two years to ensure continuity and a seamless transition. I am sure this transaction creates opportunities for my team to further realize its potential as well as for Biobest to successfully contribute to sustainable farming in Africa and beyond. Our existing and future customers and distributors will benefit from the synergies represented in this alliance.”
Serving needs of growers
Jean-Marc Vandoorne, CEO of Biobest, is also delighted with the agreement. ”Our goal is to serve the needs of growers on a worldwide basis in our strategic crops. East and Southern Africa is a hotspot for floriculture and horticulture, but also for citrus and other open field crops. With Real IPM Kenya we immediately play in the premier league in Africa. We are confident that we can help develop Real IPM’s product offering based on our own product portfolio and R&D pipeline.”
“Together we can bring even more complete and more cost-effective solutions, in line with the needs of farmers around the world. The product portfolio of Real IPM Kenya, and its partner company Real IPM UK, is also complementary to ours in other markets. Finally, it is a major competitive advantage to have a strong production infrastructure in East Africa”.