One of the major agricultural research companies with a presence in Yolo County has sold its facility there under a sale-leaseback agreement.
Public records show that Syngenta AG recently sold its seed research facility along County Road 98 in Woodland for $40.6 million.
The address of the buyer corresponds with a real estate fund owned by New York-based Blue Owl Capital Corp. (NYSE: OBDC) that specializes in sale-leaseback transactions.
In an email, a Syngenta spokesperson confirmed the company had sold and leased back its Woodland facility.
"As part of good business practice, Syngenta regularly reviews its real estate footprint around the world to ensure we are making the best use of our facilities," the company stated in its response.
The company said the sale brought in cash it plans to invest back into its sites and into its long-term growth.
“This will not result in any change to our operations in the United States. We remain committed to investing in our people, products, and technologies in support of U.S. farmers,” the company said.
Switzerland-based agricultural technology company Syngenta has had a seed research lab in Woodland for more than 50 years. The facility comprises 150 acres of land, according to Yolo County records. It includes office, lab and research space, greenhouses and open-air farmland for growing crops.
The Woodland facility is Syngenta’s global headquarters for developing new squash and melon varieties. It also uses the site to research, test and produce sweet corn, peppers and other vegetables.
