Milestones
Around the world
in five decades
Subsidiaries and associated companies in more than 70 countries illustrate how KWS has become internationalized. An overview of eight selected developments over the past five decades.
St. Louis | United States
Gateway Research Center: Second research center alongside Einbeck
KWS’ aim to establish a second research center apart from Einbeck came to fruition when the Gateway Research Center in St. Louis started its work in 2015. Its location in the direct vicinity of various plant research institutes enables access to new technologies, top-class expertise and exceptional talents. One idea of having a site outside Einbeck was to expand the company’s own research network to include a non-European perspective: Researchers from both centers often contribute to one and the same project. |
Shakopee | United States
Betaseed: Now number one in sugarbeet seed
Before the Second World War, KWS was well placed in the U.S. with its sugarbeet seed. After the war, it was necessary to regain that position by breeding suitable varieties specifically for the American market. Together with the Northrup King Company, KWS founded Betaseed in 1969. In 1989, KWS acquired all the shares in the continuously growing company. Since 2020, Betaseed has operated under the name KWS Seeds and is the number one supplier of sugarbeet seed in the U.S. |
Westfield | United States
AgReliant: Cooperation in the largest corn market
A cooperation bears fruit: In 2000, KWS and the French agricultural cooperative Limagrain joined forces to gain a foothold in the world’s most important commercial corn market. The two companies pooled their activities (breeding, production and marketing) in the joint venture AgReliant and captured a market share of six percent in just 20 years – double the figure from when the cooperation commenced. |
Patos de Minas | Brazil
KWS Sementes: Entry into the tropical corn market
KWS entered the seed market for tropical corn in Brazil by acquiring two breeding companies and a stake in a production and distribution company. In 2019, KWS invested around €10 million to more than double production capacities to two million units of corn, soybean and sorghum seed per annum. KWS’ share in the world’s third-largest corn market has increased from three to seven percent and is expected to reach 15 percent by the end of the decade. |
Mons-en-Pévèle | France
Momont: Expansion of wheat breeding
KWS launched its activities in France in 1975. In order to improve its market position in the country in the cereals segment, too, by means of a greater focus on wheat breeding, KWS acquired 49 percent of the French seed company Societé de Martinval from the Momont family shortly before the turn of the millennium. The remaining 51 percent was also transferred to KWS in 2014. In addition to research, production and marketing of cereal seed and oilseed rape, the company’s pea, corn and sugarbeet activities also made large strides after the acquisition. |
Andijk und Wageningen | Netherlands
Pop Vriend Seeds: Launch of the vegetable business
KWS entered the vegetable seed business in 2019 when it acquired the Dutch company Pop Vriend Seeds. It was already clear at the time that in addition to spinach, beans, Swiss chard and red beet, vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons and watermelons would augment the portfolio. The strategy for this is threefold: acquisitions, licensing business and own breeding programs. In a short space of time, the company has succeeded in initiating vegetable breeding activities in several countries and on various continents around the world. |
Einbeck | Germany
KWS Group: Further development of headquarters
After the Second World War, KWS moved to the grounds of a shoe heel factory – the location where the company still has its headquarters today. Around the former granary – now the main building – several new buildings are testimony to how research and breeding capacities have grown enormously. The Biotechnology Center 1, the Biotechnology Center 2, office and institute buildings as well as the LEO and LEO 2 greenhouses are particularly noteworthy. As part of the PIA project, production space has also been increased on the campus. New office buildings and the Forum underscore KWS’ commitment to Einbeck as a location. |
Kamjanez-Podilskyj | Ukraine
KWS Ukraine: Long-term engagement at the first international location
KWS’ first international location was established in Ukraine in 1900 – in what was then the world’s largest sugarbeet cultivation region. That was followed by further investments in other crops, including the opening of a corn seed production plant in 2016. Capacities were to be doubled this year with an investment in the double-digit million range. The project is set to continue despite the war. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
