Scotts Pro Turf Business Sale Now Definite

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2000. It includes Scotts’ ProTurf®, Contec™ and other brand names, the distribution network, customer lists and all trademarks, patents and copyrights associated with the professional turf market. The transaction does not include any of Scotts’ consumer, grass seed, lawn care services or horticultural businesses.

Under the Professional Turf sales agreement, The Andersons would acquire the rights to the U.S. business and Nu-Gro would acquire the rights to the Canadian business. The transaction also includes a supply agreement under which Scotts will use its proprietary manufacturing processes to produce value-added professional turf products for The Andersons and Nu-Gro.

James Hagedorn, president Scotts North America, said, "The sale of the professional turf care business underscores Scotts’ commitment to focus on our well-known consumer brands and our ongoing consumer pull marketing initiatives."

The Andersons Professional Turf Products Division sells premium granular fertilizers and control products to golf courses, lawn care operators, sports fields and other turf professionals. According to The Andersons, the acquisition will add more than 40 percent to the revenue of The Andersons Processing Group, which includes the Professional Turf Products Division.

Rick Anderson, president of The Andersons Processing Group, said, "This is an important step in achieving our goal of becoming the leader in the marketing, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution of golf and other professional turf products in the United States."

Anderson named Tom Handel general manager of the Professional Turf Products Division. Handel, a 12-year company veteran who most recently was director of financial services and business development for the Processing Group, will have strategic and tactical accountability for the newly combined professional turf products business.

For more details about the announced sale, please click here: Scotts To Sell Professional Turf Business To Andersons And Nu-Gro.