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Western Reserve Partners Advises Yoder Brothers, Inc. in Divestiture to Syngenta AG March 3, 2009 Western Reserve Partners LLC is pleased to announce its representation of Yoder Brothers, Inc. ("Yoder"), a privately-held company based in Barberton, Ohio, in the divestiture of certain assets to Syngenta AG (NYSE: SYT). Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Yoder is the world's leading breeder and propagator of all types of chrysanthemums, including potted mums, garden mums, spray mums and Fleurettes. The Company is also a leading propagator and marketer of perennials, asters, azaleas, hibiscus, gloxinias, lisianthus, poinsettias and pot roses. The transaction with Syngenta involves the sale of certain assets and intellectual property related to the genetics, development, breeding, production, marketing and sale of Yoders’s potted and garden mum and asters product lines. Leading the assignment for Western Reserve Partners were Managing Directors Ralph Della Ratta and David Dunstan, Director Charles Aquino and Vice President Rebecca White. "It has been a pleasure working with the senior management and board of Yoder," said Della Ratta. "The company has long been regarded as the world leader in mums. This transaction presents a wonderful opportunity for Yoder to strengthen its balance sheet and allow management to focus resources on creating significant brand value in its various other ornamental lines." From modest beginnings – as a partnership of two, hardworking Mennonite brothers, Menno and Ira Yoder – Yoder Brothers has evolved into a world leader in flowering research and breeding. Today, almost 90 years after its founding, G. Ramsey Yoder, Menno's grandson, heads a company of 1,100 employees. Current Chief Executive Officer William Rasbach joined the company in 1973 and became President in 2003. Since 1977, the company has expanded throughout North America by acquiring breeding and production operations in Florida and Pennsylvania as well as in Canada and Columbia. "The Western Reserve team did an excellent job of advising our board of directors through this complex divestiture and creating significant value for our shareholders, employees and customers going forward," said Rasbach. “This transaction allows the remaining assets in the company to reorganize in a way that is more competitive with industry standards. We also look forward to a strong partnership with Syngenta as it relates to joint opportunities going forward.” Western Reserve Partners is a boutique investment banking firm that provides customized investment banking solutions for middle-market companies. The firm's Managing Directors average more than 15 years of experience and have directly executed more than 550 transactions. Western Reserve is also a member of M&A International Inc., the world’s leading alliance of investment banking firms, with 40 members and more than 600 professionals across 37 countries. For more information, visit www.wesrespartners.com. |
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