Hendrix Genetics Expands Into Salmon Breeding

Completion is expected in the first half of 2011, subject to standard consents.

“Hendrix Genetics and Landcatch are a natural fit,” said James Lithgow, Chairman of Lithgows Ltd.

“We share a very similar vision and believe that combining the efforts of our excellent production and R&D teams with those at Hendrix Genetics will make Landcatch and LNS even more effective and, ultimately, more successful in supplying superior salmon eggs and juveniles to salmon producers worldwide.”

Thijs Hendrix, Président of Hendrix Genetics, agreed: “We are excited to be able to enter this significant and growing sector and are confident we can bring new and innovative ideas to a company which has a long and successful track record in aquaculture.

“This acquisition fits very well with our multi-species breeding strategy and we look forward to becoming a leading aquaculture breeder, as we have done in turkeys, layers and pigs. With Landcatch and LNS we can create a new platform with a new horizon in aquaculture breeding and life sciences.”

Founded in the late 1970s by Sir William Lithgow, Landcatch is a world renowned supplier of genetically proven salmon eggs and juveniles. LNS also commands global respect as a specialist breeding company, applying advanced selective breeding technologies to the Landcatch strain of Atlantic salmon.

The business also provides its technologies and expertise to many other fields of animal breeding.

Hendrix Genetics, headquartered in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, have both owned and joint venture operations in 22 countries with more than 1,500 employees and supports the animal protein sector in more than 100 countries. Structured in four divisions, the company is a global leader in layer breeding, pig breeding, turkey breeding and poultry distribution.