German Agriculture Specialist Kleffmann Buys in US

German-based agricultural MR specialist Kleffmann Group has boosted its North American operations with the acquisition of US firm MarketSense, Inc., another agricultural research agency and a specialist in the animal health sector.

MarketSense is based in Des Moines, Iowa and was founded in 1997 by David Soorholtz. It combines proprietary market research with consulting on marketing and business development for the agriculture, b2b and consumer goods and services sectors. Following the buy it will be known as KG MarketSense, with soorholtz as MD of North American operations, but will otherwise continue in similar vein, retaining its entire current team and offices.

CEO Burkhard Kleffmann says the acquisition brings new possibilities: 'The market knowledge of Kleffmann Group, obtained by twenty-five years of experience through panel and ad hoc research of the global agricultural market, combined with MarketSense's extensive knowledge of animal health is the next milestone in the development of the company and is the first step for further investments in North America'.

Soorholtz comments: 'I am excited about the expanded expertise and global reach that the new organization brings. We are well suited to help clients gain the market knowledge needed to move their products, programs and companies forward in all areas of agriculture, including animal health, crop protection, seed and agricultural machinery'.

Web sites: www.kleffmann.com and www.marketsenseinc.com . [Cute puppies courtesy of the latter!]