Topigs Norsvin Opens New Delta Norway
Topigs Norsvin officially opened its new boar test and research center Delta Norway on June 14. Delta Norway is the final element of the Topigs Norsvin strategic plan to upgrade its breeding structure, which started eight years ago. Other important steps in this plan were centralizing the nucleus breeding of the Zline and TN Tempo in Canada and building Delta Canada and Innova Canada. New innovations and an infrastructure designed for large-scale data capture at Delta Norway will significantly boost the Topigs Norsvin genetic program. For example, camera technology and sensors to observe pigs will make it possible to select for new traits that improve animal welfare and social behavior. Delta Norway will test 5,000 young TN Duroc and Norsvin Landrace boars per year. This is 2,000 animals more than at the current Delta Norway test station, which will be converted into a unit to house boars for export. The increased capacity of the test station will mean more animals with high genetic value will be available to meet the growing demand for Topigs Norsvin genetics worldwide. The increased testing capacity and new technologies will accelerate genetic progress. Delta Norway is expected to increase genetic progress by an extra 10 percent, especially in feed efficiency and daily gain. This means less feed is needed, less land is used, and fewer greenhouse gasses are emitted when producing pork. With the millions of Topigs Norsvin pigs in the world, this will lead to a substantial reduction in environmental impact.
Topigs Norsvin Turnover Continues to Grow
In 2023, Topigs Norsvin turnover increased by 15% to € 270 million. The net profit, which was largely reinvested, rose to € 2.6 million, an increase of € 0.5 million compared to 2022. This growth reflects the continued worldwide demand for Topigs Norsvin genetics. More integrations in countries like Brazil, Spain, and the United States chose Topigs Norsvin in 2023. Existing clients increased the proportion of Topigs Norsvin genetics in their company. The market share in Northwest Europe increased, even in countries like the Netherlands and Germany where the pig population is decreasing. Despite inflation and rising interest charges, Topigs Norsvin further invested in its future in 2023. In the Netherlands, the main office and research center relocated to a joint new location in Den Bosch. In the Dutch village of Keldonk, a new ultramodern semen collection station opened. And in Brazil, a new nucleus farm started. To support further growth, the company invested in the quality of the organization as well. Topigs Norsvin continues to invest in progress.
“We are proud of our results over 2023. These emphasize not just our strong market position but also confirm the trust that clients place in us. Continued investment in quality and sustainable choices enable us to translate the wishes of the market and society into our products,” says CFO Pieter van Sundert.
NOVUS new Global Headquarters Focused on the Future
Novus International, Inc., moves its intelligent nutrition company global headquarters to a new location.
“America’s heartland has been home to our global headquarters since our founding in 1991. It was important for us to stay in Missouri and remain centrally located to our customers throughout the U.S.,” says Dan Meagher, NOVUS president and CEO. “While the new building is perfect for today’s NOVUS, the improvements we’ve made in the new lab at HQ are helping us plan for the animal agriculture industry of tomorrow.”
Located at 17988 Edison Ave., in a suburb of St. Louis, the already existing building was redesigned with the future in mind.
“The new space is more focused on R&D and efficiency to help further our commitment to innovation,” says Paula Fisher, manager of analytical services and R&D at NOVUS. “It’s a space that truly provides us the opportunity to develop and formulate intelligent, next-generation solutions to support the ever-changing landscape of our customers in the animal agriculture industry.”
From the new lab, the NOVUS team performs organic chemistry and biochemistry, analyzes feed formulations and raw feed ingredients, as well as process and manufacturing chemistry and microbiology.
Deana Hancock, Ph.D., director of global applied research and technology scouting, says the science and analysis conducted at NOVUS headquarters supports both the customers and the wider animal agriculture industry.
“Our Open Innovation approach helps us address new customer challenges by looking beyond our own capabilities,” she says. “We find and review developing ideas and products along with technologies already in development to identify collaborative opportunities. We also partner with industry leaders in the field and at research centers around the world to explore up-and-coming technologies even outside of the feed additive sector. Through this approach, we can develop products and services for multi-species and different regions.”
Hancock says the in-house lab allows NOVUS to work in lockstep with external partners to achieve the company’s goal of creating products that address animal health, well-being, and performance through intelligent nutrition.
