CONTACT: Amy Ryan (608)846-6238 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABS GLOBAL PARENT COMPANY, GENUS PLC, COMPLETES SYGEN ACQUISITION
DEFOREST, WISCONSIN - December 2, 2005 - Genus plc, the parent company of ABS Global, Inc., has completed the acquisition of Sygen International plc. The acquisition transforms Genus into the largest animal genetics company in the world, with sector-leading positions in bovine, swine and shrimp genetics. A prime objective of the acquisition is to put together the research and development activities of the two companies in order to increase the prospects of producing future genetic products which are in line with customer’s ever more sophisticated demands; demands which themselves are driven by increasing economic, welfare and environmental pressures. There will be no changes to interfaces with producers, who will continue to be visited by their current contacts from Genus/ABS (cattle), PIC (swine) and SyAqua (shrimp). Richard Wood, CEO of Genus, says, "I am delighted we have been able to complete the acquisition of Sygen, a company with a superb reputation, both for its genetics products and the quality of its staff and the service they provide." "I believe the acquisition is in the best long-term interests of customers and staff of both companies, through providing continuity in their day-to-day dealings with each other and participation in a larger company. The combined company will be better placed to pursue research and development objectives to meet future customer needs and to provide enhanced employment opportunities for staff." Genus has acquired the entire share capital of Sygen at a cost of approximately $325 million. The shares of the enhanced Genus business will continue to trade on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The name Sygen will no longer be used, but Sygen’s trading brands, PIC (swine) and SyAqua (shrimp) will continue unchanged. ABS and PIC run operations throughout the world. SyAqua is a business that breeds and rears warm water shrimp, with operations in Mexico, Brazil and Thailand. Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services and technologies. Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is part of Genus Breeding, a division of Genus plc.
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