Getzersdorf/Lower Austria, 4 May 2020 – EFB, ERBER Future Business, is the ERBER Group's division specializing in biotechnology. The recent acquisition of the US company, Westbridge Agricultural Products, strengthens its activities in the field of biotechnological crop protection. The product range of the California-based company ideally complements that of the EFB subsidiary BIO-FERM, and further expands the ERBER Group's position in biotechnological crop protection. 

The acquisition of Westbridge Agricultural Products is an important step for BIO-FERM, EFB and the entire ERBER Group efforts to drive forward the development of products for sustainable, healthy and safe food production.

Westbridge Agricultural Products, based in Vista, California, since its inception in 1982, has had a mission to develop and manufacture environmentally-friendly and sustainable products for large-scale growers. Today, Westbridge has a wide range of biological organic products that are very targeted, effective, safe for people and for the environment. This includes specific proprietary formulations based on microbial fermentations and plant extracts, micronutrient mixtures and other organic substances with plant growth-promoting activity. Westbridge also produces traditional and certified organic fertilizers and offers innovative solutions in biotechnological crop protection. 

Alexander Hainz, Managing Director of BIO-FERM, sees an optimal addition to the product portfolio and, therefore, stronger growth potential in selected key markets: “We are very pleased to welcome Westbridge Agricultural Products as a strong partner in the ERBER Group. We are convinced that our synergies and the expanded product portfolio will enable us to further strengthen and significantly expand our position in biotechnological crop protection." 

Tina Koenemann, CEO of Westbridge Agricultural Products, sees the company's mission continuing and the Company being an ideal partner with the ERBER Group: “Since our formation in 1982, Westbridge's mission has been to develop and produce environmentally friendly plant nutrition and crop protection products for production agriculture. With Westbridge’s philosophies being so similar with BIO-FERM, EFB, and the ERBER Group, we are delighted to continue to serve and grow markets even further.”

Erich Erber, PhD hc, founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ERBER AG, sees an American dream come true: “BIO-FERM is part of the ERBER Group, and supports the development of products for safe, healthy and sustainable food production for a growing world population. Westbridge is an innovative, long-standing and trustworthy partner in highly developed market segments in the USA, especially in the Western United States. Westbridge thus fits perfectly with the BIO-FERM product portfolio. It is a particular pleasure for me to welcome Westbridge to the ERBER family - we are proud to bring Westbridge's innovative and sustainable products to new markets in Latin America, such as Chile, and the EU. This partnership has made an 'American dream' come true for us.”