Syngenta Flowers, a global leader in the pot and bedding plant industry, has acquired the pot and garden Chrysanthemum and Aster business from US flower company Yoder Brothers.

Syngenta Flowers, a global leader in the pot and bedding plant industry, has acquired the pot and garden Chrysanthemum and Aster business from US flower company Yoder Brothers. The financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.

The acquisition includes all rights to Yoder’s Chrysanthemum and Aster genetics and breeding programs, as well as the Yoder brand name, and will involve some 150 employees joining Syngenta.

Syngenta operates on a worldwide basis, breeding and marketing high-quality flower seeds, young plants and cuttings for the ornamental industry. In 2007, Syngenta reported sales of $272 million (£169 million).

Chrysanthemums are one of the top five selling pot and garden flowers in the global industry. In 2007, Yoder Brothers’ chrysanthemum and aster crops accounted for $24 million (£15 million) of the company’s total sales.

Robert Berendes, head of business development at Syngenta, commented: “This targeted acquisition significantly strengthens our proprietary flower cuttings portfolio and broadens our offer to growers with two new crops. The Yoder brand is highly recognised in the flowers industry and their Chrysanthemums and Asters stand for top quality genetics.”