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About Us

Our Company

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AFB International was founded in 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA with a vision to create the best palatants and make pet food taste great. Over 35 years later, we remain committed to being the leader in pet food palatability. AFB is a subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries, a privately-held company for over 185 years focused on space & defense, pet food science and biotechnology.

As part of an organization dedicated to innovation, we are able to continually offer new products and services and expand our global presence. Today we are an international company with resource centers and production facilities designed to service pet food manufacturers across the world.

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EBI Foundation

The EBI Foundation was created to give back and support the communities where we live and work. Established in 1952, it is financed by AFB’s parent company, Ensign Bickford, and its subsidiaries. Significant gifts are given in the areas of education, the environment, natural disaster response, medical institutions, scientific innovation, the arts and community improvement. Individual employees are encouraged to contribute their time and talent to community projects. In addition, the EBI Foundation matches employee contributions to educational and cultural organizations.

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Who We Are

AFB partners with pet food manufacturers to make food, treats and supplements for dogs and cats taste great, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrition they need. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, we bring value to pet food companies through research expertise, technical support, and unparalleled customer service.

How We Work

Clearly understanding our customers’ complex needs provides a firm foundation for success. To determine the best approach, we strive to understand the interaction of the palatant with other crucial factors our customers manage or execute including product formulation, ingredient quality and process capabilities. The more pieces of the puzzle we have, the better we can develop palatant solutions that meet a customer’s performance targets, attribute requirements and economic objectives.

Corporate Sustainability

AFB is passionate about improving the wellbeing of pets, people and our planet. Our sustainability mindset motivates us to responsibly and collaboratively make pet food taste great. This mindset is a critical component of how we do business. Learn more about our sustainability journey in this message from our President, Jared Lozo.

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Our Core Values

Long-term strategic approach: Our long-term strategic approach creates stability for our customers, our people and our shareholders.

Respect for individuals: We respect each individual’s well-being, growth and sense of belonging.

Superior execution: Rigorous execution of our systems and processes enables superior performance.

Customer intimacy: Customer intimacy enables unique insights into our customers’ needs.

Kaizen mindset: Relentless drive for continuous improvement (our kaizen mindset) achieves transformational results.

High-performing teams: Our experienced, high-performing teams win.

Customer-driven innovation: Customer-driven innovation is our lifeblood.

Our Leadership Team

Jared Lozo, President

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Jared Lozo, President

Jared assumed the President’s position at AFB International in 2019. Prior to this leadership role, Jared held the position of Vice President at Ensign-Bickford Industries (EBI). There he was responsible for the development and deployment of EBI’s operating system (EBOS), EBI’s approach to value creation through processes and tools to execute business unit strategy and support continuous improvement in all areas of the business – growth, operational excellence and talent development. Prior to joining EBI, Jared worked for Morgan Advanced Materials as Operations Manager / Site Leader for their New Bedford, Massachusetts facility. Before joining Morgan, Jared held a number of leadership positions of increasing responsibility within Crane Co. He served as Global Business Manager for the Power Generation & Refining Markets for Crane’s ChemPharma and Energy Division. Prior to that, Jared was the Product & Sales Manager for the Commercial Vehicle Segment at Crane’s Barksdale Controls business. Jared started his career Supply Chain & Operations where he managed Operations, Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain (strategic and tactical) and Manufacturing Engineering in a high-volume demanding environment. Jared earned both his Bachelor of Science in Global Supply Chain Management and his MBA Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

Jim Christiansen, Vice President, Finance and Accounting

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Jim Christiansen, Vice President, Finance and Accounting

Jim joined AFB in 2019 as Vice President, Finance and Accounting. In this role he works collaboratively with global functional areas and regional businesses to set strategy, including short- and long-term financial objectives, and lead the annual operating plan for AFB’s locations around the world. Jim is an accomplished global financial and strategic business leader with more than 30 years of broad financial experience in both emerging and developed markets. Jim joined AFB from Mondelez International, Inc where he served in various roles of increasing responsibility for 24 years including most recently as the Senior Director of Global Overheads Financial Planning and Analysis. Jim is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Morgan Clarkson, Vice President, Global Human Resources

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Morgan Clarkson, Vice President, Global Human Resources

Morgan started with AFB in 2017 as an HR Business Partner for the North America business. In 2018, she was promoted to Director of Human Resources. In this role, she led our global HR team to execute AFB’s talent strategies including talent development, talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership change management. Morgan was appointed Vice President, Global Human Resources in 2020. In this position Morgan works as a strategic business partner to drive HR strategy in line with the overall business priorities. Before joining AFB, Morgan held positions in performance development, organizational effectiveness, and leadership continuity at Edward Jones, Caleres and Behavioral Academic Assessments. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville with a Master of Art degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri.

Stephanie Hackmann, Vice President, Global Operations

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Stephanie Hackmann, Vice President, Global Operations

Stephanie joined AFB in July 2010 as Environmental Health and Safety Manager. She was promoted to Sr. EHS Manager, and became Global Director, EHS in 2015. In 2017 Stephanie took a corporate role as Ensign-Bickford Operating Systems (EBOS) Leader, partnering with all EBI subsidiaries. She was responsible for driving continuous improvement, and leading operational excellence through strategy, talent and execution. Most recently in 2021 she became Vice President of Global Operations for AFB. Stephanie’s responsibilities include a focus on global operational strategies, processes, and procedures to ensure AFB standardization across the globe. Her work on AFB’s operational strategy enables the infrastructure development necessary to support global growth. Prior to AFB, she held similar positions at KV Pharmaceutical, Covidien, Tyco International and Sitex Environmental. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Elizabeth Donald, Ph.D., Vice President, Global Research and Development

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Elizabeth Donald, Ph.D., Vice President, Global Research and Development

Elizabeth joined AFB as Vice President of Global Research and Development in 2020.  With over 13 years of industry experience in domestic and international Consumer Products and Fragrance R&D, she leads AFB’s R&D team by providing scientific/technical expertise, strategic direction, and effective management of global scientific and technology initiatives. Most recently, Elizabeth served as Director of Fragrance Technology at Givaudan International SA–Science & Technology.  She was responsible for leading the North America Sensory effort, as well as providing global client fragrance technology and technical sales support.  Prior to Givaudan, Elizabeth worked at The Clorox Company in a variety of domestic and international roles including R&D Product and Process Developer and Commercialization R&D Manager. During her time at Clorox Elizabeth led technical projects for Pet Specialty and Food Innovation projects, developed new products and technologies, and drove technical timelines and allocation of people, capital, and budget resources.  Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology & Geophysics from Yale University and her Doctorate of Philosophy in Geological & Environmental Sciences (Geochemistry) from Stanford University.

John Vergeer, General Manager, Europe

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John Vergeer, General Manager, Europe

John has a long history with AFB, joining in 2005, responsible for Sales & Marketing in the European region.  He has since risen to serve as General Manager responsible for all AFB European operations. With a strong focus on people and customers, John’s priority lies in delivering a high-performance culture. Strong growth in the home and adjacent markets, resulted in building a state-of-the-art new facility in The Netherlands in 2014. Prior to AFB, John was responsible for export and business development for Pokon & Chrysal International, specializing in flower food and fertilizers. At the start of his career, he had a variety of marketing and sales positions at different companies within the petfood industry, which has formed the basis for his current position.  John is a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences with a degree in Commercial Economics and Business Administration.

Dale Spence, General Manager, Asia Pacific

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Dale Spence, General Manager, Asia Pacific

Dale joined AFB International in 2017 as Vice President of Marketing, drawn to AFB’s customer-first, learning culture and its willingness to invest and think strategically. In this role, Dale oversaw all marketing efforts and helped guide and implement AFB’s strategic vision. In 2021, Dale was appointed General Manager, Asia Pacific where he owns the creation, communication and implementation of AFB’s Asia Pacific strategic plan, as well as day-to-day operations. He is responsible for growing AFB’s Asia Pacific team, driving sales growth, increasing profitability and developing products that meet the ever-changing needs of this emerging market. Dale has over 25 years of experience as a global business leader. He began his career at Caterpillar and then spent 20 years in a variety of engineering, product development and marketing roles at Federal Mogul and Danaher.  Dale holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Andy Zenor, Vice President, Global Supply Chain

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Andy Zenor, Vice President, Global Supply Chain

Andy joined AFB in 2017 as the Global Procurement Director focused on developing resources and strategic partnerships. In 2019, Andy was appointed Senior Director of North America Sales and recently appointed to Vice President of Global Supply Chain. Andy’s return to the Supply Chain team will help the organization elevate focus on global strategic sourcing, looking to strengthen strategic relationships, consolidate our global spend in more categories, and develop a top-notch production planning team. Prior to joining AFB, Andy worked as a Senior Accountant for Price Waterhouse and spent 11 years as Director of Raw Materials Purchasing at Anheuser-Busch. He also gained experience in the pet food industry as Strategic Sourcing Director at Mars Petcare. Andy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Marcelo Beraldo, Director, LATAM

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Marcelo Beraldo, Director, LATAM

Marcelo began his journey at AFB together with the company’s expansion in Latin America in 2005 as Sales Executive Brazil. He was heavily involved in the development of all areas necessary for the construction and operation in Jaguaríuna – Brazil facility. In 2009, he was promoted to Director Brazil. In 2019, in the same position, he assumed additionally the responsibility for the operation in Mexico. Now, in 2022, as LATAM Director, Marcelo and his team are responsible for driving sales growth in region, increasing profitability, and developing product requirements that meet the ever changing needs of this emerging market. Marcelo also owns the creation, communication and implementation of the Latin America strategy as well as day to day operations. Before joining AFB, he worked as a sales executive focusing on the commercialization of ingredients and additives for animal and human nutrition at Danisco. Marcelo is a graduate of State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) with a degree in Food Engineering and received a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the Advertising and Marketing Business School (ESPM).

Our Locations

  • North America
    North America

    Our Global Corporate Headquarters is located outside St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Production plants are located in Aurora, MO and O’Fallon, MO. We also have an office located in Mexico.

  • Asia/Pacific
    Asia/Pacific

    AFB offers palatants from our AFB China sales office in Shanghai and our AFB Australia sites through a joint venture.

  • Latin America
    Latin America

    AFB International has production facilities in Argentina and Brazil to service the Latin America markets.

  • Europe, Middle East and Africa
    Europe, Middle East and Africa

    AFB has two manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands serving customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.