HortResearch and Crop & Food, two of New Zealand’s nine Crown Research Institutes are investigating a possible merger.
Both organisations work closely with a range of sectors including the horticulture, food and seafood industries, and have complementary areas of expertise.
A final decision will be made by the shareholding Ministers in late September.
About HortResearch and Crop & Food Research
HortResearch
Revenue (2007): $65 million
Staff numbers: 490
Key research focus: HortResearch is an NZ based science company, acknowledged as a world leader in integrated fruit research using unique resources and fruit, plants and sustainable production systems to provide novel technologies, innovative fruit and food products with high consumer appeal. Home to leading edge scientific capability in plant breeding, tree, vine and fruit physiology. HortResearch has earned considerable acclaim as the name behind developments of ZESPRI™ GOLD Kiwifruit, ENZA JAZZ™ brand apples and a range of other successful cultivars including blueberries, peaches and pears.
Crop & Food Research
Revenue: $56 million
Staff numbers: 380
Key research focus:Crop & Food Research works with industry to create the foods and beverages of the future. It is a biological science company playing a major role in the government’s goal of realising economic transformation. It works with companies, as well as entire industries, that are engaged in producing and transforming high quality raw materials into high value foods, ingredients and other products. The company has expertise in sustainable crop production to ensure resulting food products have been optimised in a sustainable manner. Its clients are mainly in the horticulture, arable, seafood, dairy and ornamental industries, food manufacturing and exporting, and central and regional government.