Illinois-based Ball Horticultural Company purchases Conard-Pyle, a century-old plant development company, which brought the Knock Out family of roses to market. Conard-Pyle specializes in the genetics and sales of proprietary roses, perennials and woody plants, and is headquartered in West Grove, Pennsylvania.
Among the acquired assets of the sale are Conard-Pyle’s in-house breeding division NovaFlora and its intellectual properties, which have strengthened the Star Roses and Plants brand over the years, as well as the distribution, production and administration facilities of its wholesale division.
Ball intends for Conard-Pyle to operate as a division of Ball, retaining Conard-Pyle’s staff, name and facilities. Ball plans to integrate its Ball Ornamentals division’s strength in woody ornamentals and sales into Conard-Pyle in the coming year. The sale is scheduled to close by the end of September 2015.
