NEW PLYMOUTH, NEW ZEALAND - August 4, 2020 - Corteva Agriscience (NYSE: CTVA) today announced a decision to close its crop protection manufacturing operations in New Plymouth.
The decision follows a period of consultation with affected employees and is the result of a strategic review undertaken over the past 12 months. The review determined there were significant benefits to the company in moving its New Plymouth manufacturing operations to alternative locations across its global supply network, including establishing the strongest foundation from which to drive long-term sustainable growth for the company globally.
The decision impacts 35 New Zealand-based employees in the manufacturing and quality assurance functions.
Robert Kaan, Managing Director - ANZ, Japan & Korea, says today’s decision is a very difficult one.
“The New Plymouth manufacturing, run by a great team of professionals, has served many farmers and the agricultural markets of New Zealand and Australia with safety, quality and reliability for many decades.
It’s impossible to calculate the value to crop production, through the reduction of yield loss, that many products from this location have contributed to.
“This is a difficult day for our New Plymouth team. Our immediate priority is working with affected employees and giving them the support and information they need,” says Mr Kaan.
The manufacturing closure and supply chain transition will take place over the next 6-12 months, with specific timelines to be shared with employees in coming weeks.
There is no decision on how the site and land will be utilised in the future. However, in line with Corteva’s values and commitment to sustainability, the company intends to work closely with local authorities to ensure the appropriate management of the site for whatever future design is decided.
Corteva remains committed to New Zealand agriculture and will continue to maintain a New Plymouth based head office for New Zealand with a strong employee presence, across multiple functions, to support customers in New Zealand, Australia and other locations globally.
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About Corteva Agriscience (NYSE: CTVA)
Corteva Agriscience provides farmers around the world with the most complete input portfolio in the industry to enable them to maximize yield and profitability. This includes some of the most recognised brands in agriculture: Pioneer®, Granular®, Brevant™ seeds, as well as award-winning Crop Protection products. It brings new products to market through its robust pipeline of active chemistry and technologies. The company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019 and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
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Contact:
Jo de Joux
+64 (0) 21 245 6924
jo@hcgroup.nz