The Conard-Pyle Company recently announced that Syngenta Horticultural Services [1] and Star Roses [2] would become the exclusive distributors of rooted young plants of the Knock Out brand of landscape shrub roses, effective July 1, 2010. Greenheart Farms [3] and Northwest Horticulture [4] will be the exclusive producers.
The new agreement does not affect existing licensees selling either bareroot plant material or finished product to retailers. According to Conard-Pyle President Steve Hutton, the changes simply offer an opportunity to more effectively manage the plant brand throughout the supply chain.
"Conard-Pyle has taken a bold step in preserving the value of its brand," said Ken Turrentine, head of marketing at SHS. "Conard-Pyle’s product lines are highly regarded at the consumer level, and SHS knows that is a key to the success and profitability of our growers."
For more information, visit the Conard-Pyle Company's website, www.conard-pyle.com [5].