Kemin officially opens worldwide HQ after US$30m investment
31 Aug 2017 --- Kemin Industries employees and Iowa community leaders gathered for a private ceremony on August 29 to celebrate the official grand opening of the company’s worldwide headquarters in Des Moines. The event featured tributes to the company’s rich history of innovation, science and entrepreneurship as a leader in improving the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products in a global market.
More than 600 attendees had the opportunity to tour the building, enjoy food from all of the Kemin global locations and hear remarks from Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, as well as join in a molecular structure connection ceremony to signify the new headquarters as unifying the employees at corporate headquarters.
“The new headquarters is more than a building – it’s an investment in providing the resources our team members need to move forward our company vision of improving the quality of life by touching half of the people of the world every day with our products and services,” said Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin.
“By unifying our employees in one location, innovation and collaboration will increase and we now have a place to welcome our entire global team.”
Lauren Burt, the official spokesperson for Kemin told FoodIngredientsFirst: “When the headquarters design was planned, 25 percent of office space was left open for future growth. The workforce at headquarters continues to grow, and currently, the company has 108 open positions globally. We currently have approximately 600 employees in Des Moines at headquarters, and 2,500 around the world.”
“The new headquarters brings all Des Moines-based employees under one roof, creating more innovation and better communication amongst team members. So much of the scientific research and development that Kemin does comes from headquarters,” she explains. “Kemin customers should expect continued innovation and new offerings in our products and services.”
“Kemin will continue to focus on reaching half of the world's population with our products and services. We are very focused on feeding and serving a growing population by thinking globally and acting locally,” Burt notes.
The new building, a US$30 million investment, completes a five-year, US$125.5 million overall investment in Kemin Des Moines facilities. Located in the emerging development area of the southeast corridor near downtown, the 94,000 square foot building houses work spaces, laboratories, collaboration areas and a fitness center. More than 500 Des Moines-based employees moved into the headquarters in January.
Since 1961 when the company was founded by R.W. and Mary Nelson, Kemin has been headquartered in Des Moines and has actively been involved in the community including support of Habitat for Humanity, Youth Emergency Services and Shelter (YESS) and The World Food Prize.
By Elizabeth Green
