Robert King is president of Point B Solutions. Previously, and prior to being sold to Wild Flavors in 2011, he was president of A.M. Todd Botanical Therapeutics for seven years, a well-known international botanical extract supplier with manufacturing operations located in North America and Ningbo, China. His 25-year career has been centered in pharmaceutical and life science applications where he has held a variety of sales, marketing, and corporate management roles. His early career focus was in western medicine separation technologies for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. His experience included work in the manufacturing of products such as tPA and Sargramostim (GM-CSF). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the major enzyme responsible for clot breakdown aiding in diseases such as pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack. Sargramostim stimulates the growth of white blood cells and helps prevent serious infection in conditions such as leukemia and bone marrow transplants.  Both products became licensed pharmaceuticals in the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s. His later career focus was in eastern Traditional Chinese Medicine applications. He is credited with the successful design and transfer of The A.M. Todd Company Botanical Operations from their Eugene, Oregon facility directly into Ningbo, China in 2004. King’s work experience also consists of positions held at Eli Lilly & Company, Millipore Corporation and HyClone Laboratories. King is a member of the American Botanical Council and has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Herbal Products Association.

Health E-Insights: What is life like for you after A.M. Todd?           
 
Mr. King: Very rewarding and a little less harried. Rewarding from the accomplishment of having completed a great mission to move our entire organization to Asia.  My experience with A.M. Todd taught me to persist when others thought our ambitions were nearly impossible. Less harried from a standpoint of travel and being accountable to a board of directors. In eight years, I traveled all throughout the U.S. and Europe, as well as to China 24 times. I racked up an embarrassing amount of miles.
                                   
Health E-Insights: What is the state of Chinese manufacturing?
 
Mr. King: Chinese manufacturing in general would surprise and impress many westerners. China has a very large educated population with many highly skilled PhDs running manufacturing facilities. While they possess some very sub-par facilities, so it is in America. What I have experienced in visiting over 100 manufacturing sites there is that their best is often better than ours.  The top Chinese manufacturers really get quality. It is impressive.
 
Health E-Insights: Do top tier Chinese companies entering the U.S. understand what it takes to be successful?
 
Mr. King: They do. Thirty companies in China have now achieved NSF certification. We were one of the first to have NSF thoroughly audit our facility only eight years ago. While there is still an enormous difference between eastern and western thinking, the Chinese who are serious about competing here in the U.S. do understand what is required.
 
Health E-Insights: Do Chinese companies get that the industry is marketing-driven?
 
Mr. King: Yes. It is frustrating for many of them as global business outside of China is vastly different than their usual business mantras. The best companies there understand and focus on what they do control namely, the quality of their goods to the customer.
 
Health E-Insights: Where will the most significant growth occur in the next few years?
                                   
Mr. King: That is hard for me to know. Price pressure and GMP compliance leads me to believe that the best manufacturers in China will do well. Also, with the current appetite that the Chinese people have for products from U.S. companies, I see U.S. brands continue to grow well there. There is still a great need in natural products for more of the viable, honest manufacturers to present their products to U.S. companies.  They sometimes have a tough time properly positioning themselves to our market. As long as adulteration in ingredients and products continue to exist, the best of the best in China will have a place to thrive. 
 
Health E-Insights: What is the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere for business travel?
 
Mr. King: I like to get a flavor for the city or the region.  I want to eat at a local favorite, enjoy some local tradition, and see some of the sites. It helps me understand the people that I am working with a little better. I well understand the east-west cultural and business differences that loom large as one tries to most effectively work with clients and companies.  
 
Sheldon Baker wants to interview you. Contact him at SBaker@BakerDillon.com. Follow him on Twitter @NutraInk and visit his website at www.BakerDillon.com.