BASF finalizes acquisition of Sorex pest control business

* Deal includes Whitmire Micro-Gen

*
Portfolio and R&D capabilities highly complementary



BASF announced that on December 19, it has concluded the acquisition Sorex Holdings Ltd., a leading manufacturer of branded chemical and non-chemical products for professional pest management. The transaction, which includes U.S.-based Whitmire Micro-Gen and U.K.-based Sorex Ltd., will increase BASF’s presence in the two most important pest control markets worldwide, the United States and Europe. Financial details have not been disclosed.



Combining BASF’s existing pest control business and research capabilities with the Sorex Group portfolio and expertise in application technology will strengthen the company on several fronts. BASF will diversify into the U.S. general insect control segment and solidify its position in Europe.



In the United States, BASF now becomes a market leader in general insect control. In the termite sector, where BASF is already the market leader in liquid treatments, its portfolio is now broadened to include the second-largest termite bait offering: Whitmire’s Advance Termite Bait System. In Europe, BASF now also advances to a strong position in rodent and insect control solutions for professional pest managers.



The Sorex Group has an excellent reputation in the fast-growing general insect control segment and unrivalled expertise in the area of rodenticides. The company has approximately 200 employees and recorded net sales of EUR 72 million in 2007, primarily in the US and Europe. Sorex Group’s portfolio and customer focus together with BASF’s worldwide presence will help to grow the pest control business on a global level. Its formulation capabilities together with BASF’s insecticides portfolio will enable BASF to develop tailor-made solutions for professional pest control.



Whitmire products in the US include a broad range of aerosol insecticides for general insect control, baiting systems for control of ants, cockroaches and termites as well as numerous dilutable insecticide formulations. Their strong position in pyrethrum-based insecticides and their Mother Earth® line of insect control products will give BASF a strong foothold in the fast-growing general insect control market. These product lines will be highly complementary to BASF’s Termidor® and Phantom® product lines. Sorex’s strong position in the European market is based on the innovative technologies, especially in rodent control, hence broadening BASF’s offerings to professional pest control operators.