Botanicals International: Focusing On Science
A company that has grown in size and scope since its merger early last year with Hauser, Botanicals International (BI), Long Beach, CA, now stands poised to provide a range of science-based ingredients for the dietary supplement arena.
The company had been a stand-alone entity until last year’s deal, which merged the Hauser Inc. group of companies, Hauser Labs, Shuster Labs and the natural products business unit based in Boulder, CO, with several of the Zuellig group of companies, including Zetapharm and Botanicals International Extracts (BIE). The company now has more than $100 million in sales and over 300 employees. Manufacturing sites are in Long Beach, CA (powders and teas), Boulder, CO (standardized and specialty extracts) and Boonton, NJ (ratio extracts).
With the merger behind it, the company is focusing on a core theme, science-based technology, explained vice president-sales and marketing Peter Hafermann. “We are concentrating on science and technology for the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries,” he said, adding that the company also does several specialty products, formulation and development capabilities for foods and cosmetics.
Both companies have a long history in the natural products area, with Hauser founded in 1983 and BI in 1977. “In the past, BI was not as focused on innovation as Hauser was,” said Mr. Hafermann. “Now we’ve taken the sourcing, sales and marketing and worldwide network of BI and combined it with Hauser’s strong science side and its extraction expertise for a combination that fits together very well. We are now an innovation-focused company. “
While the company has a complete list of products in the herbal area—with over 600 offerings available—the concentration is now on a few key areas. One is BI’s new line-up of “UltraHD” ultra-high density powdered products, which, according to Mr. Hafermann, flow better and have more density and less dusting, allowing manufacturers more efficient processing, more uniform fill weights and greater formulation flexibility, including adding more bulk to capsules and smaller dosage forms. “This is a patent pending process, which uses no excipients for a truly natural product,” he added.
Also a highlight at BI is an FDA-approved process to produce quintozine-free ginseng products. “We are the only company allowed to import contaminated ginseng roots into the U.S., because we can then decontaminate the products here,” explained Mr. Hafermann. In addition, BI is focusing on its “Identilok” and “Potencylok” programs. Identilok is a unique quality and identification process, while Potencylok guarantees the specific potencies of powdered herbs. Finally, other keys at BI are its “Naturspan” time release line for once-a-day dosing and its proprietary antioxidant “RoseOx,” which according to Mr. Hafermann, is the most powerful natural antioxidant. RoseOx is derived from rosemary and standardized on carnosic acid. “We are also working on several new products that are in the pipeline, but that we’re not ready to talk about yet,” added Mr. Hafermann.
For the future, Mr. Hafermann predicted that industry consolidation will continue. “This is happening throughout the supply chain and we will continue to see the market getting compressed. From our perspective, though, this should impact the market positively, as our manufacturing customers and end consumers are becoming more science-based. As an ethically-sound, science-based supplier, we will benefit. Better science will prevail,” he continued, “and the supply pendulum will eventually swing the other way. We have to be ready when that happens.”
—E.S.
Botanicals International
2550 El Presidio Street
Long Beach, CA 90810-1193
Telephone: 310-637-9566
Fax: 310-637-3644
Email: phafermann@botanicals.com
Website: www.botanicalsintl.com
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