“Our government is delighted that HZPC Americas Corporation have decided to make this further investment in creating their own infrastructure on the BioCommons, further cementing their presence on Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Webster. “The potato industry is vital to our economy and HZPC can help us become more innovative in this important sector.”

HZPC Americas Corporation is part of the HZPC Group, an internationally operating company active in the potato market, established more than 100 years ago and known on a global basis for excellence in the seed and table potato markets.

Variety and knowledge development are important pillars. HZPC has developed a research and development program to develop better seed potato varieties which allows HZPC to serve customers with potato varieties that will meet current and future market challenges.

The government of Prince Edward Island is supporting HZPC with $126,000 to support research and development work. The facility is expected to create from two to four full-time positions and to grow from there with company activity in research and development.

“HZPC has a long track record of bringing innovation and quality to the potato industry,” said Fred Koops, general manager of HZPC's operations in North America. “With Prince Edward Island’s reputation for excellence in potato production and the province's strong bioscience industry, it was natural to look at the Island as a place to expand our operations.”

HZPC Americas Corporation is constructing a new research and development laboratory, including office premises, to further their work within the potato market.

HZPC BACKGROUND

HZPC Americas Corporation is the North American seed potato partner of the HZPC Group.

HZPC is an internationally operating company active in the potato market, established more than 100 years ago in the Netherlands.

The development of new, innovative varieties and to promote their use in North America by supplying the trade with seed potatoes and by the issuing of licenses was indentified as essential for the company's future survival in the highly competitive potato market.

HZPC is developing new varieties that enable HZPC to serve customers with potato varieties that will meet current and future market challenges.

Variety and knowledge development remain important pillars. HZPC Americas Corporation has undertaken an extensive program of variety trialing and introduction to most potato production regions of North America. The past number of seasons several varieties like Innovator, Fabula, Adora, Vivaldi and Sifra have been successfully introduced in major centers of production of North America.

HZPC’s years of experience and strong commitment to long term development will see our partnerships with North American potato producers strengthen in the coming years. Our aim in the coming years is to continue to grow further. To achieve this we will continue to invest in research and development.

Fred Koops, M.Sc. – General Manager - has more than 18 years of experience within HZPC and has a lot of knowledge of the international character of the company and the market of seed potatoes worldwide. Fred coordinates the HZPC activities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Fred is originally from Holland and has a science degree in Agronomy from Wageningen University.