Area Development
BASF, the German-based chemical company, will merge its Pest Control Solutions, Professional Turf & Ornamentals division, and secondary businesses including Professional Vegetation Management and Market Business Development, into a unit called BASF Specialty Products Department, moving its headquarters from Missouri to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, located south of Durham, west of Chapel Hill and east of Raleigh.

Each respective market will continue to be served, but BASF will do so as one business unit led by Jan Buberl, Director of Specialty Products, the company said. “We are merging the businesses to stay ahead of the curve of the industries we serve,” said Buberl. “As the T&O and Pest Control markets move closer together, this merger puts us in a position to better serve our customers.”

“Having these businesses come together as one strengthens BASF and its commitment to the specialty markets, and the acquisition of Becker Underwood underscores a continued commitment and investment to grow,” said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President, North America, BASF Crop Protection. “The new SPD unit will be built to last for the long term, while meeting the needs of customers in these markets.” Information on the cost of the relocation was not immediately available.