Hankkija has sold the Progres® feed innovation business to AB Vista

Hankkija has sold the Progres® feed innovation to the English company AB Vista. The business deal includes the Progres trademark, patents, production and distribution agreements. Along with the deal, two employees from Hankkija were transferred to AB Vista. The transaction took effect on 8.2.2023.

“This closed transaction is a great sign of appreciation for Hankkija’s long-term and innovative research and development activities. The deal strengthens Hankkija’s position as Finland’s leading feed manufacturer, and also enables significant investments in research and product development in the future. Several development projects are currently underway, they are estimated to result in important product launches in the coming few years”, says Hankkija’s CEO Jyrki Lepistö. Hankkija is the only feed manufacturer in Finland that has its own significant product development. In the Danish Agro group, Hankkija’s role in innovation and product development activities will grow.

The transaction is financially significant, but the parties have agreed that the transaction value not to be disclosed. Hankkija will continue using Progres in its own feeds and export to Danish Agro’s home market area in Northern Europe. Progres production will continue at Forchem’s factory in Rauma, and packed Progres products will delivered from Hankkija’s Turku feed mill as before.

As part of the agreement, AB Vista will start distributing Hankkija’s Progut® and Acetona® products in Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, Mexico and Brazil. This strengthens Hankkija’s feed exports, as these countries have currently been outside of Hankkija’s own operations.

We look forward to leveraging our global supply chain to allow new markets to take advantage of Progres, and the wider portfolio we`ll continue to develop to support our customers in the journey to produce better, more sustainably and responsibly

AB Vista’s Managing Director Juan Ignacio Fernández

AB Vista’s Managing Director Juan Ignacio Fernández said:” Progres is an exciting natural product based on a strong research and scientific background that supports a more sustainable approach to animal production, so fits well with our whole ethos at AB Vista“. He adds: ” We look forward to leveraging our global supply chain to allow new markets to take advantage of Progres, and the wider portfolio we`ll continue to develop to support our customers in the journey to produce better, more sustainably and responsibly“.

Progres is a feed ingredient refined from tall oil, it can replace feed antibiotics, promote the sustainability of livestock production and the purity of food. The widely used Progres, which received several patents and also the Chemical Industry Innovation Award in 2018, has responded to the global need for feed antibiotics replacement in livestock production. The effects of Progres have been extensively studied and the benefits are scientifically proven.

Additional information:

Jyrki Lepistö, CEO, Hankkija Oy, Tel. 010 768 3084, Email: jyrki.lepisto@hankkija.fi

Hankkija

Hankkija Oy is Finland’s leading agricultural and machinery business. Hankkija is also Finland’s largest manufacturer of industrial animal feeds. Hankkija has 54 stores and the industry’s largest online store.

Hankkija is also an active hobbyist’s shop, whose stores have a comprehensive and versatile selection of garden, horse, pet, forestry and hunting products. More than 1000 employees work for Hankkija, and the company’s turnover in 2021 was 822 million euros.

AB Vista

AB Vista is a global company, founded in 2004, specializing in feed additive business. It is a subsidiary of AB Agri, one of Europe’s largest feed companies, which in turn is a part of the AB Foods group.

AB Vista’s head office is located in Great Britain and regional offices are set in the United States, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.