Weekly Roundup: Axiom Foods seals US distribution deal with Univar Solutions, Vion opens Meat Master Center in the Netherlands

12 Apr 2019 --- In business news this week, Axiom Foods has chosen Univar Solutions as its preferred US distributor for vegan and allergy-friendly ingredients. Thew Arnott is offering organic lecithin to help food manufacturers comply with updated EU legislation which came into force in January 2019 and Vion opened a Meat Master Center at the company’s head office in Boxtel, the Netherlands. Kale United is strengthening its global advisory board with the addition of two new advisors, representing the fast-growing Indian, Middle Eastern and South Korean markets.

In brief: Business
Univar Inc., a global chemical and ingredient distributor, has revealed that Axiom Foods has chosen Univar Solutions as its preferred distributor for the US. The agreement includes the complete line of Axiom Foods rice and pea proteins and other plant-based ingredients, which are commonly found in nutritional beverages, bars, snacks and meat analogs or extenders. Axiom Foods provides vegan and allergen-friendly products to formulators as an increased number of consumers are demanding end-use products with healthier label claims. “Axiom Foods’ ability to innovate and deliver neutral, soluble and allergen-free solutions to meet consumer demand will ensure our long-term mutual success as Univar Solutions provides market intelligence data and analytics to predict trends and drive growth,” says Austin Nichols, Director of Food Ingredients for Univar Solutions. “Working with Axiom Foods allows us to collaborate with a leading innovator of rice and pea protein and bring consumers the products they are demanding.”

Thew Arnott, a supplier of specialist food ingredients, has highlighted the importance of ensuring that organic lecithin is used in the manufacture of organic finished products, including re-molding chocolate mass. This announcement comes following changes to EU legislation that came into force in January 2019. “From the start of the year, all products that claim to be organic and include lecithin as an ingredient must also use organic lecithin in production. In the past, non-organic lecithin was permissible and products could still be labeled as organic,” explains Sales Manager David Messum-Jones. “Transparency throughout the food supply chain has never been higher on the agenda for consumers and thus the food industry is responding accordingly. If a finished product is labeled as ‘organic,’ then consumers need to have complete confidence that the product they are buying is exactly what it says it is on the label. Changing to organic should not cause manufacturers any production issues as dosage rates should remain like-for-like and it should be a straightforward swap,” he says.

Vion has opened a Meat Master Center at the company’s head office in Boxtel, in the Netherlands. The company hopes that customers, suppliers and other stakeholders will be able to get acquainted with Vion’s new meat concepts and demand-driven supply chains. “The Vion Meat Master Center is a multifunctional area, opening up the world of meat to our customers, suppliers and stakeholders. In this center, visitors can see, taste and smell new meat concepts. In short: the Center generates a true experience,” says Maiko van der Meer, Chief Commercial Officer of Vion’s Pork Division. “Vion is a food company: tasting is an important element of the experience we want to offer. In the Meat Master Center, our master butchers can give demonstrations. We also work with grill masters and chefs to create the ultimate taste experience,” he explains.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
Campden BRI’s Director of Science, Professor Martin Hall, has retired, bringing an end to an era that saw generations of the Hall family employed at the Chipping Campden based science and research organization, since it was first established 100 years ago. Hall’s grandfather, Frank Hall, was the first to join the research company in 1919 and worked as an experimental gardener managing crop trials. Martin’s father, Les Hall, joined the organization in 1944 as a laboratory technician and retired as head of microbiology in 1987. “The word unique is often overused, but Campden BRI is truly unique in its work, the relationships it has with industry and what it is like as a place to work,” Hall says.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances has announced promotions at its Northbrook, Illinois location. Ted Sawicz has been promoted to the position of CFO & Executive Vice President. Sawicz joined Bell in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer and has over 25 years’ experience in the food manufacturing, distribution and now ingredient industries. Maggie Khembo-Gary has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager, Human Resources. Khembo-Gary joined Bell in 2010 as HR Assistant and quickly was promoted to the positions of Senior HR Generalist, Talent Acquisition & Employee Relations Manager and most recently serving in the position of Human Resources Manager. And, Sandy Cordova has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager, Benefits Administration at their headquarters in Northbrook. Cordova started her career with Bell in 2006 and has served in the roles of HR Assistant, HR Generalist, HR Manager and most recently serving in the position of Benefits Administration Manager.

Plant-based company Kale United AB is strengthening its global advisory board with the addition of two new advisors representing the fast-growing Indian, Middle Eastern and South Korean markets, where interest and demand for plant-based products is increasing rapidly. Kale United has welcomed Marie Frenette and Chetan G. Punjani to the advisory board as Asia advisor and the Middle East and India advisor, respectively. Both will join the existing advisors on the Kale United advisory board, says the company.

Adrian Isman has accepted the role of Chairman of the Board of Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. (LDC)’s sister company, Biosev, effective immediately. Isman maintains his position as Head of North America at LDC and Chairman of Calyx Agro Ltd. Patrick Treuer has stepped down as Biosev’s Chairman, to focus on his responsibilities as LDC’s Chief Strategy Officer, a key position as LDC enters a new phase of growth. Treuer will remain a board member of Biosev, as Vice Chairman. Following these changes, LDC has appointed Anthony Tancredi to replace Isman as Head of its Grains Platform, effective immediately. Tancredi joins LDC’s Senior Leadership Team, reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Ian McIntosh. A US national, Tancredi built his 30-year career within LDC, holding various key roles over the years, including as CEO of Allenberg Cotton Co., and subsequently Head of LDC’s Cotton Platform. He more recently served as Head of the Sugar Platform at LDC, from 2016 until now.

By Elizabeth Green