nellson news

August 2017

Nellson Assists Manufacturers Seeking Plant-Based Solutions - Company Shares Insight on Successful Nutritional Bars and Functional Powders

The next generation of plant-based food and beverage products are sprouting new life as consumer interest in healthier options grows. According to a recent Mintel report, consumers’ preference for a natural, simple and flexible diet will continue to drive food and beverage manufacturers to further expand offerings with new vegetarian, vegan, free-from, and other plant-focused formulation options. Nellson’s team of formulation experts can help manufacturers overcome plant-based manufacturing obstacles by delivering customized high-quality nutritional bars and functional powders.

Bart Child, Nellson’s Sr. VP Commercial Development, said, “We are seeing an increased demand for plant-based formulations in both nutritional bars and powders that fulfill consumers’ desire for products with functional benefits from natural sources and simple labels with a short list of recognizable ingredients. Our customers are seeking formulation assistance with plant-based proteins, such as: pea, rice, potato, pumpkin, black bean, algae, chia, hemp, and soy. As the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, we are uniquely positioned to help manufacturers find the next winning combination for successful plant-based nutrition bars and functional powders.”

Plant-source protein bars and powders align with consumer desire for better-for-you functional attributes, high protein, and free-from claims. Mintel reports consumers are willing to spend more on products offering a specific nutritional benefit. So as manufacturers move to develop a new generation of plant-based foods, it is important to remember that plant-based formulating can be tricky for many manufacturers. Plant proteins can vary in degree of nutrient density, distinct flavor, and texture. Nellson’s formulation experts understand these base proteins, which is critical to obtaining an optimal amino acid profile, flavor, and texture that is sustainable throughout the product’s shelf life. And, all products are backed with strategically sourced ingredients to ensure a consistent, high quality product, competitive pricing, and consistency of supply.

Child added, “As our new facility in Ontario, California comes online, we are able to offer additional capabilities that further aid customers seeking improved and differentiated plant-based products. For example, we are introducing new technologies that will allow us to expand our offerings with new formats like multi- and single-serve bites. Ongoing investments in manufacturing technologies demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with flexible capabilities, strategic technology, and progressive innovation.”

Nellson formulations experts have developed many successful plant-based products, including:

A wide variety of plant-based beverage powders–These plant-based beverage powders are not just for vegans. Sold in powder form, these beverages offer convenience in addition to their powerful nutritional benefits like complete and balanced amino acid profiles, superfood combinations, and the nutrients of supergreens, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, these beverage powders are gluten-free and non-GMO. Consumers will love their delicious and nutrient packed, clean formulations.

On-trend plant-based nutrition bars–Trend-right offerings like our matcha citrus bergamot plant-based nutrition bar give consumers an experience, not just an ordinary bar. It features a unique appearance to appeal to hungry eyes and a soft layer atop a crispy texture, for sensory appeal. Pea and potato protein make this bar perfect for vegan consumers, while great taste and texture make it great for consumers hungry for the latest flavorful experience.

April 2017

NELLSON LLC EXPANDS MANAGEMENT TEAM– Adds Martha Hudak-Roos as Vice President Quality and Food Safety, Jack Spallone as Senior Director of Corporate Purchasing

Nellson LLC, the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, recently announced the addition of Martha Hudak-Roos as Vice President Quality and Food Safety, with Jack Spallone joining as Senior Director of Corporate Purchasing.

Jamie Better, Nellson’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “I am happy to announce the addition of Martha (Marty) Hudak-Roos and Jack Spallone to Nellson’s management team. As we prepare to open our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ontario, California later this year, Marty and Jack’s expertise in their respective areas further strengthens Nellson’s solid foundation as the only full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America.”

Martha Hudak-Roos will oversee all of Nellson’s quality, food safety and regulatory activities, as well as serving as a member of Nellson’s Executive Leadership Team. Hudak-Roos brings more than 30 years of experience in Quality and Food Safety along with a demonstrated track record of success in the food industry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wagner College in Biology and Chemistry.

Jack Spallone will lead Nellson’s corporate procurement activities, while also working closely with the purchasing functions at the company’s manufacturing facilities. Spallone brings more than 12 years of proven industry expertise. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in Business Logistics.

November 2016

Nellson Nutraceutical Announces Realignment of Organization - Names Jean Filion, Chief Operating Officer and Bart Child, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development

Nellson Nutraceutical, the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, announced a realignment of their organization naming Jean Filion as Chief Operating Officer and Bart Child as Senior Vice President of Commercial Development.

Jamie Better, Nellson’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Over the past two years we have aggressively transformed Nellson, tripling it in size through the acquisitions of MultiBar, as well as the bar and powder operations of NBTY. This reorganization furthers the integration of those strategic initiatives to better serve the needs of our customers by streamlining communication, reducing functional and geographic barriers, and strengthening critical business processes. As President of Nellson Canada, Jean Filion successfully integrated the former MultiBar business with Nellson’s Canadian operations. With the additional role of Chief Operating Officer, Jean now will oversee all Nellson operations and will harmonize our business processes across our West Coast and Canadian footprint.”

Better continued, “Bart Child will take on a new role as Senior Vice President of Commercial Development. This functional group now will include Research and Product Development in addition to Bart’s previous responsibilities for Sales and Marketing. This change will allow us to sharpen our customer focus by tightening product development efforts, accelerating Nellson’s time-to-market for new products, and enhancing collaboration in providing turnkey solutions for our customers.”

“This realignment, along with our recently announced plan to build a new state-of-the-art bar manufacturing facility in Ontario, California to meet the growing demands of our customers, reflect Nellson’s determination to be the co-manufacturing partner of choice for leading brands in the nutritional bar and functional powder marketplace,” stated Better.

September 2016

Nellson LLC Announces Plans to Relocate Manufacturing Facility in Southern California

Nellson, the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, announced plans to replace its aging Irwindale, California operation with a new facility nearby. Nellson has secured a new site in Ontario, California and will invest $40-50 million to create a world-class production facility.

Jamie Better, Nellson’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our leadership team has been evaluating options for transforming our Irwindale facility into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to better serve the rapidly evolving needs of our customers. After months of review, we concluded this goal can be better accomplished by building an entirely new facility, rather than retrofitting the current location. In selecting the Ontario site, it was critically important to us that the new facility be within a short drive from the existing location as we want to retain our experienced workforce and all their bar-making expertise. Our goal is to have the new facility fully operational by the first quarter of 2018.”

The decision to seek a new location was driven by Nellson’s commitment to provide its customers with unmatched R&D expertise and the latest process and manufacturing innovations for nutrition bars, as well as a world-class environment for its employees. The new facility will include:

• Approximately 300,000 square feet under one roof for optimal efficiency, increased capacity and expansion space to support future growth
• State-of-the-art R&D lab to support corporate R&D efforts, commercial scale-up, and testing of customer formulations
• Segregated production lines which provide brand confidentiality, maximum allergen control, food safety, and efficient sanitation, as well as flexible scheduling
• Additional process capabilities for new product formats and shapes
• New packaging capabilities to support on-trend consumer demands

Better added, “The decision to build a new site represents the next step in our aggressive transformation of Nellson under Kohlberg & Company’s ownership. In Montreal, we have best-in-class bar making capabilities in the former MultiBar facility and our Lachine facility, where we recently invested over $15 million to expand capacity and upgrade our operations; we also just completed a $10 million upgrade and expansion of our Anaheim powder plant. These investments reflect our determination to be the co-manufacturing partner of choice for the leading brands in the nutritional bar and functional powder marketplace.”

June 2016

Nellson Expands Nutrition Bar Co-Manufacturing Capabilities in Canadian Facilities Under the Leadership of Jean Filion

Nellson, the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, continues its forward movement in the world of nutrition, with the addition of a new high-speed production line in its Lachine, Quebec nutritional bar manufacturing facility and the unification of the Canadian operations in Lachine and Anjou, Quebec under the leadership of Jean Filion, former CEO of MultiBar and current President Nellson Canada. This investment enables the nutrition bar co-manufacturer to meet and exceed the needs of North American bar manufacturers’ brands.

Jean Filion said, “It was important to us that we bring our Canadian operations together under one management, as it combines two great teams to share best practices, accelerates decision-making, and, together with the capital investment, strengthens our value creation potential.” Filion added, “I am extremely excited by the potential of the Canadian team with its wealth of knowledge and commitment to innovation. Like our entire Nellson team, our Canadian bar team relentlessly seeks improvement to surpass our clients’ expectations in terms of service, quality and cost.”

Jamie Better, Nellson LLC’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “The unification of our Canadian operations under Jean’s leadership is another step in Nellson’s transformation over the past 18 months. This leadership change and the capital investment demonstrates our commitment to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in all areas of the company. Our Canadian operations are a critical component of our bi-coastal platform which enables us to provide best-in-class product development and manufacturing capabilities, exceptional speed of execution, and outstanding customer service to our clients. The acquisition of MultiBar and NBTY’s Anaheim CA powder manufacturing facility and nutritional bar operating assets positions Nellson as the unequivocal leader in nutritional bar and powder co-manufacturing in North America.”

Nellson co-manufacturing advantages include:

• Capabilities, bar none
Nellson’s newly commissioned state-of-the-art Sollich line, Peerless and conical mixers, and automated line processes throughout provide the flexibility and capability to create any type of nutrition bar. From the simplest uncoated bars to the most complex—specialty coated, sandwich layered versions—Nellson can provide exactly what bar brands need at an excellent value. Nellson has the unique capability to process real chocolate, as it possesses both the specialized equipment and expertise required for real chocolate production. Nellson also offers the efficiency of a one-stop shop, with special assemblies for display-ready pallet services, so clients don’t need to move their product to third party assemblers. In a market that demands complexity, Nellson offers the capabilities to meet those demands with state-of-the-art equipment and process expertise.

• Capacity to support growth
Nellson has the production capacity to support the growth of customer brands and the flexibility to meet their surge demands. Our investment in new technology for case packing and a new centralized palletization area accommodate the speed necessary to support production lines.

• Consistent quality
Nellson’s stringent Quality Assurance processes ensure delivery of the quality customers expect—with efficient, consistent results. This gives Nellson’s customers confidence that their consumers will experience the same bar quality, taste and appearance, day-in and day-out.

• In-house Research & Development
Nellson’s in-house R&D department provides a benefit unique to nutritional bar and powder co-manufacturing. Our dedicated team of over 40 R&D food science developers and technicians give Nellson’s customers a distinct edge. The R&D team has unrivaled knowledge of all aspects of bar and powder development and manufacturing to facilitate success. The Nellson R&D team understands that there is a difference between developing a bar or powder and actually manufacturing it. With a solid understanding of profiles and flavors, manufacturing processes and equipment, the R&D team at Nellson enables clients to get new and innovative products to market at record speed.