LNS also announces the appointment to their Board of Bill Miller, international veterinary and supply-chain consultant, who previously acted for Sygen and works with a number of other aquaculture and agriculture clients.
These are both major appointments for LNS, adding a new layer of commercial and scientific strength to our Board at a time of significant development for our company, said Hugh Currie, Chairman of LNS.
The appointments follow the conclusion in December of the purchase by LNS of Marine Harvests 50% stake in Landcatch Chile, the other 50% of which was already owned by Landcatch Ltd. The Landcatch Chile purchase is part of a wider expansion by LNS which will involve significant production increases in Scotland, Chile and, possibly, one other location over the next five years. LNS already produces 50 million eggs a year in Scotland and 25 million in Chile, a combined output which is equivalent to approximately a 14% share of the world Atlantic salmon egg market. The companys target is to achieve a global market share of 30% plus by 2011.
Phillip and Bill both bring top level experience of livestock genetics, breeding and technology to our Board, particularly through their experience in the marketplace in Chile, said Mr Currie. As the only breeding company in the world to have wholly-owned egg production facilities in both the northern and southern hemispheres, we already have the physical capacity to provide top quality eggs for customers on a global basis.
All successful businesses, however, consist of good facilities and excellent people. Having taken key decisions in recent months to expand our breeding and production facilities we are delighted to now be able to add Phillip and Bill to the people power of our business.
Background Details
Phillip David: As Chief Executive of Sygen International, prior to the companys recent takeover by Genus, Phillip headed a global business specialising in applied biotechnology and mathematical genetics, commanding total sales of 130m and employing 1500 people in 31 countries. Prior to joining Sygen, he was Chief Executive of PIC International in the UK.
Bill Miller: A veterinarian, with additional qualifications and experience in epidemiological research, computing and statistics in a commercial environment, Bill is an independent consultant working for companies throughout the world. His current consultancy projects include the development of systems for monitoring production, Quality Assurance and traceability.
Landcatch: Founded by the Scottish-based family-run Lithgows business 25 years ago at Ormsary Estate, Argyll, initially for operation as a land-based salmon production unit. The company made its first major investment in advanced breeding technology for stock improvement in 1996 to concentrate on the specialist production of eggs and salmon smolts. The business today consists of Landcatch Ltd., based at Ormsary in Argyll and Landcatch Natural Selection Ltd. (LNS), based at Alloa near Stirling, also in Scotland.
Landcatch Ltd. manages the LNS companys broodstock in its land-based breeding units, as well being a smolt producer in its own right, supplying customers throughout Europe.
LNS is Lithgows specialist breeding business, controlling all breeding advances and egg production developments. LNS supplies eggs to customers in Scotland, Ireland, France, Chile and the Faroes.
Source: Landcatch Ltd - 16th March 2006