DLF is set to expand its outreach with the establishment of two Product Knowledge Centers in North America.
DLF, the global grass seed company with headquarters in Roskilde, Denmark, plans to open the new centers in Philomath, Oregon and Port Hope, Ontario on July 1.
Each will help the company promote product education, information from field trials and provide information on technical support while also building on collaboration between product management, marketing and sales personnel.
This association helps each group work together to serve customers and build the company's presence throughout North America.
"Our vision for these centers is to prominently feature everything the DLF portfolio has to offer, from bentgrass to alfalfa to new innovations in seed enhancement," said DLF North America executive vice president Neil Douglas. "These locations are important to demonstrate the value of our product innovation, training customers and staff, and for collaborating with key industry partners."
The Willamette Valley, being close to many of DLF’s key U.S. grower partners, is an area the company plans to continue investing in. The Philomath and Port Hope Product Knowledge Centers will remain the host sites for DLF's seed camps and ongoing customer education activities.
As part of this growth initiative, and to advance DLF's efforts to strengthen its breeding programs and ensure long-term operational excellence, the company will consolidate two independent research stations in Philomath, Oregon, and Touchet, Washington into a single multi-species breeding station located in Touchet.
"A single, well-staffed station will strengthen our R&D activities and ensure we continue to deliver new high-quality forage and turf products, while at the same time provide long-term career growth opportunities for our employees," said DLF executive vice president and scientific officer Derek Bartlem
Both breeding stations are now operating independently. By consolidating its Pacific Northwest breeding operations in Touchet, company officials believe they can create a stronger breeding station that better supports research and development goals without impacting staffing numbers. The company also has a breeding station in West Salem, Wisconsin.