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发表于 2008-6-21 19:51
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A Profile of Progress
When a young and ambitious Conrad Fafard moved from Canada to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1921, his purpose was to ply his trade as a carpenter in the United States. And although his days were filled with his carpenter work, his heart and interest was with farming and agriculture. At night he began selling hay imported from the family farm, to local livestock owners.
Three generations of personal commitment to absolute quality in product and service have made Fafard the most respected name in the horticultural industry.
Company founders Conrad and Annette Fafard (1932 - 1976)
They say you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. After two years selling railcar loads of hay at night, Conrad Fafard had built up a customer base that justified selling hay full time. His travels expanded the market serviced by the company, while his wife Annette Fafard managed transportation and their in home office. By the 1930's their hay business grew to 3,000 railcar loads of hay per year.
Between 1930 and 1939, the company expanded its services to include the importing and selling of German peat moss. With the onset of World War II, however, Conrad and Annette had to find another source for peat moss. So in 1939, with the cooperation of family members living in Canada, the first Fafard bog was opened in Quebec. The demand for Fafard peat moss grew quickly, and soon a second bog started in New Brunswick, Canada. Fafard's reputation for professionalism, personal integrity and high standards drew customers from up and down the Eastern seaboard. The company expanded, ultimately incorporating as Conrad Fafard, Inc. in 1945.
The expansion continued in 1955, 1960, the late 1980's, 1990's, and in 2006 making the Fafard group the largest privately held peat moss and mix company in North America.
On July 10, 2006, Syngenta announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Conrad Fafard, Inc.; The acquisition in a market currently estimated at $1.5bn and growing at around 6% p.a. will reinforce Syngenta’s leading position in plant protection and flower seeds.
Today, Fafard operates facilities in four states and three Canadian provinces, and proudly employs over 400 dedicated individuals. Fafard now owns or leases a dozen peat moss bogs covering over 10,000 acres. Click here for photos of selected Fafard bogs.
Past President
Andy Fafard
( 1990 - 2006 )
Past President, Herve Fafard
( 1976 - 1990 )
Effective Jan. 1, 2007. Keelan Pulliam succeeds Fafard President Andy Fafard, who retired Dec. 31, 2006. In his role, Pulliam will oversee the continued alignment of Conrad Fafard Inc. and Syngenta Professional Products, and the ongoing growth and expansion of Fafard throughout North America. Syngenta purchased Conrad Fafard Inc.
“I am honored to be named president of Conrad Fafard Inc.,” Pulliam said. “The leadership and vision of Andy Fafard, and the resources and synergies available as a subsidiary of Syngenta, give Fafard a solid foundation for future expansion, and I look forward to leading Fafard through this exciting period of growth and change.”
Pulliam has worked for Syngenta or its legacy companies for more than 26 years and has held numerous positions, including product manager, district and regional sales manager, national sales director, and team leader for corporate accounts.
For the past five years, Pulliam has led the Lawn & Garden business unit for Syngenta Professional Products in North America, encompassing the golf, lawn and landscape, ornamental, and aquatics markets.
“Keelan has a wealth of experience in the lawn and garden industry,” said Rob Neill, vice president of Syngenta Professional Products for North America. “His organizational aptitude and business acumen make him an excellent choice to guide the Fafard company and to achieve synergies with Syngenta.”
Fafard produces peatmoss, soilless mixes, top soil, peat humus, potting soils, composted manures, and a portion of the bark used in Fafard mixes. Soilless mixes represent the fastest growing segment of the Fafard business. Mix formulations are constantly monitored to match changing grower needs. Fafard also offers the unique service of custom blending. This flexibility provides customers with an almost infinite range of mix formulations and characteristics.
The headquarters and sales organization of the company is in Agawam, Massachusetts. Over the past 80 years, the company has been continually enhancing its products and services. Fafard's growing staff of professionals include experts in the field of horticulture, who constantly research innovative products and services.This enables the company to expand so we can meet the changing needs of the horticultural industry. |
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