Eco Agro, Hocking announce joint venture

Sarasota — Eco Agro Resources and Hocking International Laboratories, San Marcos, Calif., have announced a joint venture that adds Hocking agricultural products to the Eco Agro portfolio and locates manufacturing of existing Eco Agro nitrogen stabilizer products at the Hocking network of strategically located production facilities. In addition to its San Marcos headquarters, Hocking also has locations in Sylacauga, Ala., and York, Penn. Eco Agro said its production campaign for the 2015 season will soon be underway at the jv facilities. Shipments will begin before the end of 2014. Eco Agro was formed in 2013 and sells enhanced efficiency fertilizer products. Hocking, founded in 1976, is a chemical company with manufacturing expertise and facilities strategically located around the country. “The arrangement immediately increases production capacity to meet the rapidly growing demand for our unique nitrogen stabilizer products N Yield and N-bound,” said Andrew Semple, Eco Agro CEO. “Our joint venture with Hocking International provides world-class manufacturing capacity, starting at 3 million gallons per year, with additional scale up capacity available without delay. It also permits further expansion of our product line with N-Still slow release nitrogen and expertise to help us scale up production of Phos Gain phosphorus enhancer.” Eco Agro also gains additional agricultural products from Hocking that will allow it to expand its product offerings into micronutrients and additional performance enhancing products. The jv allows Hocking to further penetrate the agricultural markets and increase utilization of existing production capacity. “A transaction of this magnitude is certainly something for all parties to get excited about,” said Doug Hocking, CEO. “This new venture is going to accelerate full production potential for both Eco Agro Resources and Hocking International as well as facilitate maximum exposure for both organizations. … This relationship allows both organizations to leverage their strengths in a mutually beneficial business structure. Hocking International specializes in the manufacturing processes, while Eco Agro Resources provides the sales and marketing team together with clients in 14 countries to ensure worldwide distribution.”