AFB International signs JV agreement with Inghams EnterprisesSt. Charles, Mo, April 11, 2007
In another sign of its commitment to the pet food palatants industry and the needs of Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, AFB International, Inc. (“AFB”) announced that it has signed a joint-venture agreement with Inghams Enterprises (“Inghams”), Australia. The terms of the transaction were not released. Under the agreement, Inghams will manufacture and market AFB’s BioFlavor® and Optimizor® brands of palatants for dog and cat food. Inghams will operate two manufacturing facilities in Australia. The plants in Brisbane and Melbourne will produce flavors that have been developed by AFB to meet the palatant needs of the Australian, New Zealand, and Asian markets.
“Inghams’ position in the pet food ingredients market in Australia and New Zealand combined with AFB’s strength in product development, will allow us to expand the range of products and services we offer in this region,” said AFB Chief Executive Officer Jacquelyn A. Levin. “This will give our customers a greater choice of palatability solutions and allow them to maintain consistently superior products.”
With the joint-venture, AFB now operates six state-of-the art manufacturing facilities in North America, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Australia. With Inghams, the sales and support staff will be expanded to include an office in Melbourne, Australia. The two companies are already working closely together to identify and fulfill the palatability needs of the pet food markets they serve. The joint venture will trade as AFB International Pty LTD.
Inghams Enterprises is a multifaceted company that today is a large and significant contributor to the food industry. Inghams operate in all states in Australia and New Zealand. Poultry production is the core business of the corporation and over time Inghams has become the largest producer of meat chickens and turkeys in Australia. Inghams has a fully integrated farming, primary and further processing poultry business operating ten feed mills, ten primary plants, and nine further processing plants. Inghams also operates a major commercial stockfeed business in Australia and New Zealand producing a range of feeds for poultry, pigs, dairy cattle and horses.
“Inghams is committed to growing our pet food ingredient business,” said Inghams CEO Kevin McBain. “Palatability is the key driver in improving pet food quality. By offering our customers palatants developed by AFB, we can enhance Inghams ingredient offering with the opportunity to work closely with customers.”
AFB International is a science and technology-based leader in pet food palatability. Founded in 1986, AFB has grown to be a worldwide leader in pet food palatability technology. Throughout its history, AFB has adapted superior scientific approaches and advanced technology to help its customers maximize pet food performance, and ultimately grow market share.
AFB’s worldwide headquarters are in St. Charles, Missouri, with sales offices in the United States, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries.
For further questions, please contact Cheryl Murphy at telephone number +1 636 634 4161
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