Bayer CropScience moves research and development operations to Sacramento

From The Sacramento Bee:

Germany-based agrochemical company Bayer CropScience has announced that it will move its research and development operations for vegetable seed and crop-protection products into a 164,000-square-foot facility in West Sacramento.

The move into the former Affymetrix Inc. site on 10 acres of land is scheduled to occur in next year's first quarter. About 300 will be employed at the site.

The move will relocate the company's vegetable seeds research and business management operations currently housed in Davis.

Bayer said it will also acquire an additional non-contiguous site on which to construct a greenhouse and test plot facility.

"We are focused on better leveraging our full research and development capabilities by both consolidating and expanding our global R&D organization," said David Nicholson, Bayer CropScience's head of research and development. "Our new facilities in West Sacramento will enable us to deliver integrated crop solutions more rapidly by intensifying the research links between our vegetable seeds and biologics experts and thus strengthening our innovative power."

The Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization said the move will have an annual economic impact of more than $127 million.

"We're thrilled with Bayer's decision to locate in West Sacramento. The location will bring new jobs, revenue and opportunities for other businesses and industry sectors in the area," said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon.