From the editors of Feedstuffs
dsm-firmenich announced it has initiated the process of carving out and separating its Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business. The move is due to ANH experiencing different dynamics than the rest of the company, which has become even more apparent “with the unprecedented challenges in the vitamins market.”
The company believes that the full potential of the ANH business could be best realized through a different ownership structure for which all potential separation options will be considered. The company expects to be in a position to separate the business in the course of 2025.
“ANH is a fantastic business that over the years we have built to be a true leader in the industry. This is a difficult moment, but we strongly believe that a separation would be better for both businesses and their employees, and ultimately generate better value for all our stakeholders,” said Dimitri de Vreeze, chief executive officer of dsm-firmenich.
A separation would enable dsm-firmenich to strengthen its position as a world-leader in nutrition, health, and beauty. By fully focusing on Perfumery & Beauty (P&B); Taste, Texture & Health (TTH); and Health, Nutrition & Care (HNC), the company can further develop its complementary world-class scientific research, technologies and manufacturing excellence. Read more
Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions announces acquisition of Diamond Animal Health
Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions (“VPS”) has announced the acquisition of Diamond Animal Health, a key contract manufacturer of animal health solutions, from Mars Corporation. VPS’s acquisition of Diamond Animal Health was completed in partnership with private investment firm Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C. This is a strategic move that expands VPS’s position beyond its status as the market leader in livestock pharmacy compounding. Diamond Animal Health is a proven partner in contract manufacturing and research of animal vaccines and pharmaceuticals. This acquisition is an opportunity for Diamond Animal Health and Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions to grow together and significantly broaden their capabilities in the animal health industry. “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for both Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions and Diamond Animal Health,” notes Dean Warras, Chief Executive Officer of both entities. “We are excited to welcome Diamond Animal Health to our team as we diversify our product offerings, expand our research and development capabilities and elevate our overall operations.”
The acquisition will create an integrated animal health platform that is uniquely positioned due to three key pillars of offerings:
FDA-approved cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing
USDA-approved vaccine manufacturing
Boards of Pharmacy and FDA regulated compounding capabilities
“The collective experience of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions and Diamond Animal Health teams will greatly benefit both organizations and enhance each of their abilities to support the industry,” said Warras. “The team at Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions is committed to investing for growth and bringing Diamond Animal Health under the umbrella to really strengthen our offerings.” “Diamond Animal Health is excited to be part of a group that is 100% focused on animal pharmaceuticals and serving the livestock and companion animal industries. We believe that our new ownership will help us execute on serving our current customers and bring new and innovative offerings to the market in the years ahead,” states Laurie Peterson, General Manager, Diamond Animal Health. Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions has demonstrated its commitment to innovation by continually expanding a product pipeline through the development and acquisition of new solutions that meet the evolving needs of its loyal customer base. In addition to product innovation, Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions significantly expanded its team of veterinarians, pharmacists and industry experts in 2023.
Novel swine origin probiotic strain delivers feed cost savings
Trials show novel probiotic L. plantarum strain helps improve growth performance and feed efficiency in growing and finishing pigs. Dr. Tom Weber, technical manager with the Kent Nutrition Group Innovative Solutions team, sits down to discuss the benefits of EFFICOR, a ground-breaking new probiotic for the swine industry. This novel probiotic L. plantarum (ATCC PTA-127487) strain was developed in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension with independent research trials showing that EFFICOR helps improve growth performance and feed efficiency in growing and finishing pigs. The findings showed that EFFICOR can result in nearly $2.00 per pig in feed cost savings, as a result of improved efficiencies. Innovative Solutions worked with university researchers to identify the unique strain of L. plantarum (ATCC PTA-127487), which stands out because it is of swine origin. "EFFICOR™is a cost effective nutrition solution to help improve sustainable pork production," added Kale Causemaker, Senior Director, Innovative Solutions. To learn more, visit https://innovativesolutions.com/our-products/efficor.
Benson Hill divests Iowa soy processing operation
Benson Hill Inc., an ag tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants, announced this week that it has successfully retired its senior debt facility and divested its Creston, Iowa, soy processing business to White River Soy Processing (WRSP) for gross proceeds of $72 million. These actions align with Benson Hill’s commitment to disciplined liquidity management and asset efficiency as the company transitions to an asset-light business model backed by world-class soybean germplasm and competitively advantaged technology.
The Creston transaction closed Feb. 13, 2024, and is a pivotal step for Benson Hill as it sharpens its focus on core growth areas. The company also retired its senior convertible debt earlier than planned. As previously communicated, the company intended to retire the debt facility by March 1, 2024, having paid down about half of its senior loan in November 2023.
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TARGAN, Wayne-Sanderson Farmsexpanding commercial collaboration
TARGAN Inc. (TARGAN) and Wayne-Sanderson Farms are expanding their previously-publicized partnership. In August 2023, the two companies entered into a multi-year agreement for the integration of TARGAN poultry systems in multiple Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ broiler hatcheries across the United States. This new agreement will more than double the number of devices in use at Wayne-Sanderson locations.
“Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a well-respected expert and leader within the poultry industry,” said Ramin Karimpour, founder and chief executive officer at TARGAN. “Wayne-Sanderson was our first commercial collaboration, and we are thrilled that together we are expanding this partnership. This increased placement of TARGAN systems demonstrates that TARGAN’s innovative technology has proved to be an asset to Wayne-Sanderson Farms.”
TARGAN merges engineering and biology, utilizing cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-speed vision systems in its poultry systems. Read more
