Syngenta Closes or Reduces Capacity at 12 Locations

Syngenta announced today the next steps of the integration of its newly acquired seed businesses. To better align its recent acquisitions of 90% of both Garst and Golden Harvest with its NK Seeds brand, the company will close or reduce capacity at twelve seed corn and soybean seed production locations and two field offices. Through this action, Syngenta will recognize synergies in supply chain including production, warehousing, and distribution while bringing new choices to the seed industry.

Syngenta will continue to meet customers' needs with over 50 seed production facilities, research sites and customer service centers located across the United States. John Sorenson, President - Head of Global Corn and Soybean Seeds says, "Our objective is to run all of our production facilities closer to their full capacity while aligning seed production with demand. We will continue to provide the brands, products, and service our customers expect and need from us."

The integration process and site closings will be complete as of June 30, 2005 to allow affected employees time to transition. The company will provide separation packages to all employees at the facilities who are eligible for such benefits.

Garst, Golden Harvest and NK have a combined share of 15% in corn seed and 13% share in soybean seed, and a combined corn and soybean seed sales of 22 million acres. "Our new, unsurpassed line-up of traits, breeding and germplasm assets will provide farmers greater choice in production management," explains Sorenson.