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Kemin Industries Acquires Bio-Cide International
Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, recently announced it has acquired Bio-Cide International, Inc. (Bio-Cide), a leading multi-specialty source of chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial technology.
For more than 40 years, Bio-Cide has pioneered novel disinfection and antimicrobial solutions that are used in an array of markets, according to a company release. Kemin is working to strengthen safety throughout all stages of the food chain. Bringing a fellow leader in antimicrobial solutions into the organization aligns with Kemin’s decades-long focus in this space, the company noted.
The acquisition adds several new technologies to the existing Kemin portfolio of antimicrobial and food safety solutions, including:
>>>OXINE® and PRO-OXINE®: Effective, fast-acting, broad-spectrum antimicrobial solutions for food processing, equipment, water and animal health applications.
>>>KEEPER® and KEEPER® PROFESSIONAL: Antimicrobial agents used to eliminate pathogens, extend shelf-life and improve the quality of red meat, seafood, poultry and post-harvest fruit and vegetable products.
>>>PURITE®: A preservative formulated for use in prescription and over-the-counter eye care products.
For more information on Bio-Cide’s inclusion in the Kemin group of companies, click here.
Ralco Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Ralco celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 21. The anniversary is a milestone that measures Ralco’s past and celebrates its future dedicated to using approaches to maximize nutrient conversion and reduce nutrient waste in both plants and animals naturally, the company said in a release.
“In so many ways we are just getting started,” said Jon Knochenmus, Ralco president emeritus. “We introduced natural products to the agriculture industry when people were skeptical and didn’t understand, but they know now that we were ahead of the curve.”
Ralco was founded by Bob Galbraith, an audacious entrepreneur who mortgaged everything he owned to start the company out of this garage and delivered product with a pickup and gooseneck trailer, the release said. He led the company for 19 years and lived to see Ralco become a multinational. The company passed to his son, Randy Galbraith, then to his son-in-law Jon Knochenmus. Currently Jon’s son Brian Knochenmus serves as president of Ralco.
While a 50th anniversary recognizes the past, Ralco said they it is focused on the future. “Perfecting natural approaches is an extension of our mission and a journey that will never end. My grandpa said he eliminated the word can’t from his vocabulary and we continue that tradition. My grandpa also knew that the success of our company depended on our people. We’ve continued a people-first culture for 50 years and I firmly believe that’s how we were able to achieve this milestone today,” Brian Knochenmus said.
Smithfield Foods to Increase Water Conservation Efforts
Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced it will conduct a comprehensive watershed and water-use analysis across its vertically integrated operations to increase the company’s water use efficiencies and ensure sustainable sourcing and practices companywide.
According to a company release, Smithfield will also adopt internationally recognized water stewardship standards by 2025 to support its long-term water management goals.
This water conservation effort will refresh prior water assessments and inform updated strategies related to water usage, quality and supply availability on all company-owned and contract hog farms, in manufacturing facilities and across grain supplier operations beginning with Smithfield’s domestic portfolio, the company said in a release.
This newest initiative builds upon efforts Smithfield has undertaken over the last decade to reduce water use across its farms and production facilities, which utilize ISO 14001:2015 certified environmental management systems (EMS) to establish water-use reduction targets and assess potential new efficiencies, Smithfield said. Additional ongoing efforts to conserve water include strictly regulating the application of nutrients on company and contract hog farms, introducing grain supply chain innovations to protect water from fertilizer runoff and partnering with local water authorities to reduce impacts of groundwater use.
Two-thirds of the company’s water use supports cooking and sanitation at its processing facilities. In its agricultural operations, water is critical for Smithfield’s animals to drink and for sanitation, cooling and biosecurity.
PigTek Names New Product Manager
Kimberly Carlisle has been named product manager for PigTek. In her new role, Carlisle’s core responsibilities include the development of products and product opportunities to meet swine industry equipment needs and preparing sales channels to effectively take products to market, the company said in a release.
Prior to her employment with CTB, Carlisle gained more than 20 years of relevant work experience, including product manager, account executive and senior project analyst positions for global manufacturers. Carlisle is proficient in Spanish. She has also completed a leading product development program through Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Mass.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Carlisle currently resides in Mishawaka, Ind.
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