HUXLEY, Iowa (August 26, 2009) Channel Bio Corp.’s group of regional seed
brands is being elevated into a new, premier Channel brand committed to providing
farmers the highest-level customer experience in the industry.
“Through the years, we’ve found that successful farmers desire an adviser who
can provide a customer experience that increases their probability of achieving success,”
said Jim Zimmer, Channel Bio’s chief executive officer. “As farming becomes more
complex and challenging, we believe Channel is uniquely suited to offer this kind of
customer relationship.”
“Seedsmanship” is central to Channel’s customer-first philosophy. The term
refers to how the brand evaluates, produces and sells its seed products, including the
seed professionals who provide sales and service support based on an in-depth
understanding of their customers’ farming operations.
With this philosophy in mind, Zimmer said Channel is positioned to offer farmers
the industry’s best-performing products and most innovative services. This comes
through access to parent company Monsanto’s leading genetics, traits and seed
treatment technologies, as well as value-added services to meet customers’ varying
needs.
The customer service for which Channel Bio is known will be enhanced under the
new Channel brand. “With employees and resellers working directly with farmers, we
have the ability to deliver industry-leading seedsmanship to support farmer success
throughout the planting, growing and harvesting seasons, field-by-field,” Zimmer said.
Focusing Energy and Resources
Channel Bio’s three regional brands, Crow’s Hybrids, Midwest Seed Genetics
and NC+ Hybrids, are expected to be fully migrated into the new Channel brand by next
summer.
“The legacy of our three strong regional brands will be preserved in Channel,
including their extensive offerings of hybrids and varieties,” said Zimmer. “However, one
Channel brand will allow us to better focus our energy and resources to deliver a new
standard of performance and service. It will also enable Channel to simplify and
streamline our business and more efficiently manage our product lineup.”
Zimmer said a single, premier brand also means that Channel will have more
resources and capabilities than the three regional brands could provide separately.
“The
Channel brand will be elevated in the marketplace and has the opportunity to become
one of the industry’s top tier seed brands,” he said.
2010 Product Lineup
For the 2010 season, all Channel products with Monsanto’s Genuity™ traits
(SmartStax™ corn, VT Triple PRO™ corn and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans)
will be delivered in Channel bags. All other Channel products will be delivered in legacy
brand (Crow’s, NC+ or Midwest Seed Genetics) bags for 2010 planting.
Channel Bio Corp. is an independent operating company wholly owned by
Monsanto. The company markets corn, soybean, sorghum and alfalfa seed through fulltime
sales representatives and a reseller network working directly with growers
throughout most of the U.S. corn, soybean and sorghum growing areas. Channel is a
brand of Channel Bio Corp. For additional information, please go to www.channelbio.com.