Wai-Lon Pang, a recently qualified MSc at Reading University, has been recruited by Hargreaves Plants to further develop the company's ability to identify improved new varieties of soft fruits.
Pang worked as part of the well-respected Soft Fruit Technology Group at Reading. His most recent project was under contract for Hargreaves and when completed is expected to be a major advantage to the company's Elsanta fruit production system.
Commenting upon its latest recruit, Paul Taylor, chief executive of Hargreaves Plants, said: "We have now development rights of new varieties with over a dozen world class breeders. It is necessary to increase our resources to develop the new lines we are receiving. Our belief is that we will have a good portfolio within less than five years."
Hargreaves is relocating its trialling facilities onto a customised 10 acre site for next Spring. All soft fruits in the development plan will be grown both under protection and outdoors. Taylor added: "We are going to do everything to emulate the latest professional grower techniques in order to make the results meaningful to fruit producers.”
Hargreaves Plants is the only propagating sponsor of the Soft Fruit Technology Group and proposes to continue and develop its collaboration. Taylor feels that with Wai-Lon Pang's previous contacts there is an increasing opportunity to benefit from the Reading work.
"We are excited about future prospects," he said. "Our brand SupaViga is now acknowledged in many countries, especially after winning the Business Initiative of the Year. Sales are growing rapidly and now we need to round things off with a range of improved varieties and agronomy back up."
Pang said: "I am really looking forward to this new challenge. The prospect of joining the Hargreaves team and helping head up such a novel research and development project is fantastic".
As an indication of its approach to variety development, Hargreaves Plants is investing £100,000, rising to an expected £200,000 in five years.
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