Kemin Industries is celebrating six decades in business with its “61 since '61”-themed anniversary, commemorating 61 years since the company’s founding in 1961. This year also marks 50 years of serving the animal nutrition and health industries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EMENA). Celebrations in EMENA for both milestones will take place this month at Kemin’s regional headquarters in Herentals, Antwerp, Belgium.
Initially formed to provide feed flavors, crop preservatives and antioxidants to farmers in the Midwestern United States, Kemin's portfolio and reach has grown immensely over 61 years. Kemin founders, R.W. and Mary Nelson, started the business in an old wool barn in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., where the multinational, family-owned-and-operated company remains headquartered. Just 11 years after launching Kemin, the Nelsons expanded their business overseas with the first international office in Herentals, still home to Kemin’s EMENA region headquarters.
“Since entering Europe 50 years ago, Kemin has grown significantly. We currently employ 296 specialists in the EMENA region, 158 of which are based in Belgium. These employees are involved in R&D, product development, logistics, marketing, sales, production, support functions, customer services and so much more,” said Stefaan Van Dyck, president, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – EMENA. “Our region produces 131 specialty products, 105 of which are produced in our Belgium facility, and our employees and products serve nearly 1,000 unique customers.”
The company’s scientific expertise and ability to react quickly to market needs and trends have been attributed to its ongoing success and growth. Today, Kemin operates in more than 90 countries and applies its technologies and skills in molecular science across a variety of industries to offer products with functional benefits that enhance the health and safety of people, pets, production animals, plants and the planet. Six decades later, Kemin remains focused on transforming the quality of life.
“For the past 50 years, we’ve seen many changes and challenges in our industry, such as antibiotic-free production, food safety legislation, a ban on animal proteins in feed and so much more. Since the beginning, Kemin has adapted products and practices to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers, and our experts have dedicated their knowledge and creativity to research to create new solutions. We continue this legacy today,” said Van Dyck.
