Seminis® and De RuiterTM Packaging FAQ
Why is my seed packaging changing?
Our vision is to be the best vegetable seed company in the eyes of our customers, and we realize that our
packaging is a direct reflection of what we provide for our customers.
Seminis® partners with open-field and unheated, protected growers to deliver proven, tested solutions for
their specific growing conditions and gives them the freedom to do what they do best – grow their crops,
grow their business and build their futures. De RuiterTM offers heated glasshouse and rootstock growers
technically advanced, high-performing seed varieties so they can deliver their harvest to market with
pride. Our new packaging demonstrates our commitment to our growers and promise to deliver
outstanding growing potential.
How will my seed packaging change?
You will see new graphics on your seed packaging, including an updated logo and colors. Additionally,
new treatment labels and tags will also be used. Our fill options and packaging sizes will not change, and
packaging sizes will stay consistent with what is published in current price lists. The only exception is the
De Ruiter cans, which will keep the same fill options and volume but will move to the slightly taller and
more slender package currently being used by the Seminis brand.
If you currently see a picture of vegetables on your packaging, that picture will become slightly smaller
and move slightly lower on the package. Additionally, information on the actual label itself (such as
species, variety name, batch, lot number, etc.) may have a slight change to the size, font or location as
we make our labels more consistent across regions.
Will the brand name on my packaging change?
We recognize our customers face unique challenges and have specific growing conditions within their
production environments. Therefore, we have segmented our products do deliver crop-specific expertise.
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Moving forward, Seminis products will serve growers in the open-field and unheated, protected
markets. De Ruiter products will serve growers in the heated, protected and rootstock markets.
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In some limited cases, growers will receive packaging with a new brand name. For example,
growers who previously received Seminis rootstock will now receive the same product in De
Ruiter packaging. Growers who previously received De Ruiter unheated, protected products will
now receive the same products in Seminis packaging.
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Growers who currently receive Asgrow, Royal Sluis, PetoSeed, Bruinsma, California, Western
Seed or Peotec products will transition to Seminis packaging (for unheated, protected and openfield products) or De Ruiter packaging (for heated, protected and rootstock products).
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When will I start seeing new packaging?
Growers may start to see new packaging as early as June 2012. The first customers that will see new
packaging are those who currently receive a legacy brand (Asgrow, Royal Sluis, PetoSeed, Bruinsma,
California, Western Seed or Peotec) and those transitioning from Seminis to De Ruiter and vice versa.
Given our commitment to sustainability, customers who will not be shifting brands (i.e., those who
currently receive Seminis and will continue to receive Seminis-branded products), will receive new
packaging once the current inventory of packaging has been used. We anticipate it will be well into 2013
before all customers are receiving product in new packaging.
If I receive “old” packaging, should I be concerned about the age of my seed?
Absolutely not. We are using the current inventory of packaging before fully transitioning to the new
packaging. All of our seed goes through rigorous quality testing before we release it for sale, so you can
be confident that regardless of how your packaging looks, your seed is recently packaged and meets full
quality requirements that your market demands.
What should I do if I receive a shipment with some of my seeds in “old” packaging and some of
my seeds in new packaging?
Use your entire shipment of seed as you typically would. Because we are using the current inventory of
packaging before it is fully transitioned to the new packaging, it is possible that you might receive a
shipment that uses both the new and “old” packaging. Regardless of how your packaging looks, your
seed is recently packaged and meets full quality requirements. The current packaging will be phased out
in the future, but you may receive shipments with both types of packaging for a limited time.
What will you do with prepackaged seeds? Will you repackage it into the new packaging?
All prepackaged seeds will be shipped as is in their current packaging. We will not repackage any
inventory into the new packaging, as we do not want to compromise the quality of the seed with additional
handling.
The same treated seed I have been accustomed to ordering now has a multipage booklet or tag
attached. What is this booklet/tag, why are there multiple languages, and have there been any
changes to the treatment of the seed?
Part of our 2012 packaging update includes new treatment labels and tags. These labels/tags provide
guidance on the various seed treatment products used, as well as Notice to Purchaser and Limitation of
Liability information. The seed treatment formulations and rates applied have not changed, and the
combinations of the products used on each crop are listed in your 2012/2013 Seminis and De Ruiter price
list. In order to serve our global customers and clearly communicate, these booklets now contain multiple
languages.
A small, multipage booklet with adhesive backing will be applied to the backs of foils, pouches, cans, pails
and minipack cartons. For large seed and other bagged crops, a two-page card stock tag will be sewn
into the bag seams.
Do these changes apply to large seed?
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Yes. All small and large seed are impacted by the brand, packaging and labeling changes.
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FOR MONSANTO INTERNAL ONLY
What packaging assignments will new varieties receive?
Any Phase 4 FERTs in SAP with assigned packaging components as of May 1, 2012 will follow the same
rules as all other varieties. For example, if a Seminis variety is remaining Seminis, it will receive the new
packaging when all current packaging is depleted. For legacy varieties or varieties changing from Seminis
to De Ruiter (and vice versa), new packaging graphics will begin immediately.
What will happen to existing picture labels?
For varieties that receive picture labels today, only those with over $30,000 in a three-year cumulative
forecast (on a regional basis) will continue to receive a picture label post-June 2012. Those varieties that
do not meet this threshold will receive a standard utility label post-June 2012. We will continue to keep
historical images as these are key identifiers for our customer base. The size and location of the historical
images are being altered to improve operational efficiencies and simplify our labels across millions of
packages.
Can we have more than one picture label assignment per variety?
For legal purposes we can only have one picture label assignment globally per variety. However, varieties
with a secondary variety name can have a different picture label assignment.
How will new variety picture labels be assigned?
New variety picture labels need to be assigned and approved by the Market Crop Team when a variety is
advanced from Phase 4 to Phase 5. Pictures are only to be granted to crops with $300,000 in a threeyear cumulative forecast (on a regional basis) that must be in APO. In addition, it must be predetermined
that the country requires picture labels. New images will be studio shots and will include a “swoosh”
element in the corresponding crop color.
What communications and resources are available to inform my customers?
Information in this FAQ can be shared with your customer in addition to the customer letter and
infographic which provides visual examples of the various changes. Your local website managers will also
be provided website copy to incorporate on regional sites.
Do I have to use De Ruiter and Seminis new logos on a customer-facing document if I am
currently using only the Monsanto logo?
We are aligning all of our customer facing materials to the brand strategy so our customers receive
consistent communications from us. Our customer-facing documents should mirror our new websites,
packaging, business cards, field signs, and anywhere our customers could view our Seminis and De
Ruiter brands, once you’ve depleted your Monsanto printed items.
Should we use a single letterhead format in our region?
Letterhead is determined by what your IT systems can accommodate for auto-generated forms and what
your print supplier can accommodate for pre-printed forms, which does vary by region. Your marketing
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and operations teams have been following our Seminis and De Ruiter brand guidelines to ensure
consistent brand identities are being used globally. Brand guidelines are available in the Brand Strategy
Toolkit on the Mon Veg Portal.
In EMEA specifically, all Monsanto letterhead should be used prior to using any Seminis or De Ruiter
letterhead. Beginning September 1, 2013, Seminis and De Ruiter letterhead should be used, replacing
any remaining Monsanto letterhead.
Do I have to use both of the De Ruiter and Seminis new logos if I am currently using only the
Seminis old logo?
Anywhere you are using old logos should be refreshed with the appropriate new logo. We are not
expecting regions to add a logo where you do not sell or intend to sell the brand.
Who should I contact if I have more questions about customer-facing documents?
Please contact your local representative as follows:
Argentina
Chile
Peru
EMEA
Global
Asia
NAFTA
Total Logistics Mgmt (TLM)
customer facing outputs
Georgina Peralta
Carla Castillo
Carla Castillo
Cees Van Der Bijl
Victoria Prairie
Darin Yamrubboon
Sergio Becerra
Prathap Suram
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