Merck Acquires Targan to Automate Poultry Production

The deal, expected to close in the third quarter, centers on Targan’s WingScan solution. This automated platform utilizes specialized vision technology to identify and sort chicks by gender, a process previously reliant on more labor-intensive methods. While the financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the move represents a deepening of a relationship that began in 2017.

Merck, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, has served as one of Targan’s largest shareholders for several years prior to this buyout. By integrating the Raleigh-based company's proprietary technology, the drugmaker intends to solidify its presence in the agricultural sector, specifically targeting efficiency gains in large-scale poultry operations.