MANA Hires Hobson For National Accounts Management

Raleigh, N.C. (February 24, 2010) - Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc. (MANA) announced today that John Hobson has joined the U.S. agricultural team in the position of national accounts manager.

"John has considerable experience, credibility, and numerous contacts among the major agrichemical distributors, which will make him a valuable asset in MANA," said Vic Smith, MANA vice president of marketing and product development. "He also has extensive knowledge of the high-value food crops of increasing importance in agriculture. John understands the needs of our customers and we look forward to his insight to help us become a better supplier."

Hobson grew up in the Teesside area of Northern England and came to the United States in 1993, starting his career in the food distribution industry. Hobson helped to manage crop protection product procurement for Simplot Grower Solutions for five and a half years previous to joining MANA. He will be based in Boise, Idaho and will work with the nation's major agrichemical suppliers and their distributors.

Hobson has a MBA from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho and a Bachelors degree from Sheffield Hallam University.

About MANA Crop Protection
MANA, based in Raleigh, NC, and its parent and sister companies throughout the world are seventh largest among agrichemical companies, with more than 60 years of expertise. MANA offers the most comprehensive and diversified product portfolio in the crop protection industry, with more than 60 formulations of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, and harvest aids. For more information, visit www.manainc.com.