Pioneer Hi-Bred Durant Production Location Celebrates 75th Anniversary

DURANT, Iowa, Sept. 16, 2009 – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, hosted an open house event today to mark the 75th anniversary of its Durant corn seed production location. The event was attended by employees and their families, farmers and local seed growers, vendors and community representatives.

“Those of us who work at the Durant Pioneer production location are very proud of the value we provide our farmer customers and the contributions we make to our community,” said Ryan White, plant manager. “We’ve been a proud member of the community since 1934, and we look forward to maintaining a strong presence in the area well into the future.”

The Durant production location employs about 50 full-time employees, about five part-time regular employees and up to 650 temporary employees throughout the year. The location produces, packages and ships hybrid seed corn to Pioneer sales professionals throughout the eastern half of Iowa. It also exports seed to other Pioneer locations around the world.

The Durant production location will harvest more than 900,000 units of corn grown on nearly 10,000 acres of land through local contract seed growers. This is one of 19 Pioneer corn seed production locations in the United States.

Pioneer has invested more than $2 million in capital improvements in the Durant production location over the last four years. This investment includes a 40,000 square foot warehouse expansion, new equipment and facility enhancements.

“We continue to invest in our production operations in Iowa and across North America to meet increased demand for Pioneer® brand products,” said White.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

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9/16/09

Contact:
Julie Kenney
515-334-4567