The acquisition of the Wisconsin-based microbial biotechnology company brings a research track, new techniques and functional genomics to Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, it said.
Agro BioSciences produces direct-fed microbial solutions for agriculture including for animal gut health, poultry, swine and cattle production, inoculants and environmental products.
Scott Druker, general manager of Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, told us:
“Agro Biosciences shares this same approach and has done an excellent job building a center of excellence in metagenomics, probiotics and immunology.”
“We believe the combination of our skills and offerings will help our customers solve some of their most challenging problems.”
He said the New Jersey-based company is always looking for opportunities to expand its offerings and improve its market share.
‘Perfect fit’ companies
The acquisition brings a novel line of probiotics using the “Microbial Terroir” to the nutritional offerings for protected amino acids and novel “refined functional carbohydrates” that Arm & Hammer had, said Druker.
It also expands the company’s research and development team.
The companies also are a ‘perfect fit’ for future growth, he said. “We are driven to expand our business in dairy, poultry, swine and aquaculture and the offerings from Agro Biosciences are applicable across all species—providing the progression we seek,” he added.
“We are adding a tremendously talented group of people to our organization who have skills in metagenomics, poultry and swine nutrition, metabolomics and product development,” he said.
Both companies also share similar core values, including strong relationship, commitment to employee development, environmental stewardship and an understanding of the importance of research and innovation, he said.
Integration work between the two companies has already started, said Druker. “We expect the integration to be as seamless as possible for current Agro Biosciences customers with no disruption to existing Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition offerings or services,” he added.
“We aren’t planning to make any radical changes to how Agro Biosciences has been conducting business to date,” he said. “They have built an excellent business that fits very well with our existing business structure and we are thrilled that we are moving forward together.”
Market expansion
The tie-up also is expected to support future growth plans, said Druker.
And, it is expected to support Arm & Hammer’s efforts in providing microbial and nutritional solutions on a worldwide scale, the company said.
Arm & Hammer has a global footprint and will continue to focus globally as it brings in Agro BioScience, said Druker. “We also believe that these products complement our international growth efforts,” he added.
“We are excited to grow our business across species and across the globe,” he said. “This strategy is consistent with how we have been evolving our business over the past several years.”