nellson news
September 2017
Nellson Introduces Customer-Driven Blog: 'Nellson in Motion' – Resource Offers Market Insight and Formulation Solutions for Successful Nutrition Bars and Functional Powders
Nellson LLC, the leading full-service nutrition bar and powder provider in North America, recently introduced ‘Nellson in Motion’. The blog, written by Nellson’s team of experts, offers insight and information on the nutritional bar and functional powder markets. Content is designed to highlight current consumer trends, methods to overcome formulation challenges, and tips for successful product launches.
Bart Child, Nellson’s Sr. VP Commercial Development, said, “We developed the ‘Nellson in Motion’ blog as a tool to communicate the latest news and market insight around nutritional bars and functional powders. At Nellson, we have an incredible wealth of in-house R&D expertise and market information, and we want to share that knowledge with our customers. We hope they will find our blogs to be insightful, as we dive into current consumer trends, examine formulation challenges, and share tips for successful bar and powder development."
The Nellson team of experts post blogs that cover news and information on topics and trends such as:
• Making Clean Label Simple–This post examines the challenges of creating clean label products, current consumer perceptions, as well as the future of the category.
• Customized Vitamin and Mineral Pre-blend Powders–Nellson’s R&D team discusses current challenges in the development of nutraceutical powders, as consumers seek products that meet specific nutritional criteria. The post also highlights Nellson’s custom pre-blend solutions that are available to meet specific label claims, with products that offer ideal shelf life and more.
• Quality Matters–Nellson weighs in on which certifications and standards are most important in today’s nutrition marketplace.
Please visit the Nellson in Motion blog and view posts from Nellson's team of experts.
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.”