France - Hendrix Genetics Acquires Compagnie Internationale de Volailles/Institut de Sélection Animale

Hendrix Genetics and Natexis Industrie have signed a Definitive Agreement in which Hendrix Genetics will acquire Compagnie Internationale de Volailles from Natexis Industrie. A Letter of Intent was announced by the parties on 22 September 2005. Both HPB and ISA will be fully owned in parallel by Hendrix Genetics and together will constitute its egg layer breeding division. The combination of ISA and HPB will create a global co-leader company with an excellent product range in both white and brown egg layer genetics and with a production and distribution structure to supply Parent Stock from production centres on 4 continents. Thijs Hendrix is President of Hendrix Genetics. Antoon van den Berg will lead Hendrix Genetics as Chief Executive Officer. He has a vast experience in the global breeding and agri-food industry after 25 years in top management positions. Alain Audubert will become Honorary Chairman of Hendrix Genetics. He founded Institut de Sélection Animale in 1976. During 1991-1997 he was Directeur Général de Pasteur Mérieux and afterwards Senior Vice President of Rhone Poulenc Rorer Inc. USA. Since 1998 he runs his own private investment company O & C Partners SA, Paris. Through this company he led the buy out of ISA in 2003. Equity in Hendrix Genetics is provided by Hendrix family and management (80%) and Natexis Industrie (20%). Debt is being provided by Rabobank.