Leading UK Plant Breeder Changes Name

Andrew Newby

Making, the announcement, commercial director, Andrew Newby said that over the last 12 years, the business has grown and developed, sharing expertise and gene-pools with the KWS Group.

“It is an entirely logical step that we should now be portrayed as one, under the world renowned KWS banner with its 150 year pedigree,” he said.

The CPB Twyford business – now number two cereal breeder in the UK - was originally formed in 1995 as a merger of Cambridge Plant Breeders and Twyford Seeds. 

A year later it was acquired by a German/French consortium of which KWS – Lochow was the major shareholder.  Then in 2005 KWS bought out the minority shareholders.

With headquarters based in Germany, KWS operates in over 65 countries worldwide and has a combined annual turnover of over 500 million euros.

According to Mr Newby, the move will strengthen the company’s position in the UK and lead to a greater number of innovative variety introductions.

“On the back of KWS’ very strong position in the sugar beet and maize market, we can now offer a complete package to suit farm rotational needs,” he said.

He pointed out that KWS UK will continue to develop its cereal breeding programme and has a strong pipeline of new high yielding wheats, barleys and oilseed rapes already in Official Trials.

“This year, for example, we will be bringing forward what appears to be an exceptional new Group 3 variety – Viscount – as an eventual replacer for Robigus, as well as Epure, a very high yielding conventional OSR.

“We also expect to see the high yielding feed wheats Oakley and Humber, both of which quickly sold out last year take around 20% of the UK wheat area in autumn 2008.”

“Bringing both operations together provides a united strength of purpose,” said Mr Newby.  “It provides operational synergies, ensuring improved consistency in crop performance that will benefit all within the agricultural production chain.”