'Exciting opportunities ahead', says new Anitox CEO

“This is a company with a very strong and exciting future,” states Dr Rick Phillips, newly-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of US-based Anitox, a global leader in pathogen elimination, mould control, milling efficiency and fermenting productivity programs for the primary meat, egg and fish production sectors, together with the feed milling and biofuel industries.

Commenting on his new role, Rick states:

“I am delighted to have joined Anitox at a very exciting time for this dynamic business and look forward to leading the company through the next phase of its expansion. Our commitment to industry leadership and innovation is clearly demonstrated by the continued growth in demand for well-established products such as Termin-8® and Maxi-Mil®, together with new developments such as Opti-Ferm™ which increases yield in biofuel production, and Preserv-8™ to control microbial contamination in pet food.

“We are increasing our business in the rapidly-growing feed markets of China and Brazil and will continue to build on the momentum already achieved with an exciting range of new, innovative products and services which are coming through our Research & Development pipeline. These will take us into new markets, add further value to our customers’ businesses and help livestock producers, feed manufacturers and food producers to meet future demands and challenges.”

Rick joins Anitox from Merck Animal Health, where he was Director of the company’s U.S. Integrated Livestock Business Unit, a role in which his major responsibilities included the development and initiation of long-term poultry and swine business strategies, identification and implementation of business processes and the enhancement/alignment of people to drive sustainable growth. He joined the company in 2008 as Director of the U.S. Poultry Business Unit and during his tenure supported teams in Europe, the Americas and Asia. 

Previously, Rick was Sales Director of the U.S. Poultry Business Unit for Schering-Plough Animal Health, a company he joined in 2001 following three years as Director, Technical Services for Foster Farms in California, having previously been with Perdue Farms in Maryland.

Rick holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Poultry Science from Louisiana State University, together with a Master of Avian Medicine (MAM) from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science (MS) from the University of Maine. He has published numerous papers in scientific journals and presented at a number of professional conferences.

Currently serving on the Board of the National Chicken Council, he is also a Member of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Association of Swine Veterinarians and of the Poultry Science Association.

Rick succeeds Glyn Richards, who was appointed President and CEO of Anitox in 2007 when private equity investor The Riverside Company purchased a majority shareholding. Glyn, who helped to transform Anitox from a small family-owned business into a growing global company which markets in more than 60 countries, will remain on the Board and an active investor. He comments:

“I am very proud of what has been accomplished at Anitox during the last five and a half years and even more enthusiastic about its potential going forward. It therefore gives me great pleasure to welcome Rick to his new role and I look forward to working alongside him as a fellow Director.”

Feed and food safety continue to pose major issues for all involved in meat production, processing and retailing throughout the world. Despite major efforts to control pathogens in feed, on-farm and during processing they remain a significant and ongoing challenge, while very high commodity prices are increasing the burden on all sectors of the industry, increasing the focus on safer, more efficient production at all stages. The range of solutions offered by Anitox is therefore of increasing benefit to all sectors and the company has seen a substantial increase in demand for its products, driven by more stringent food safety legislation, higher standards from retailers and greater consumer pressure for safer food.

The Anitox range currently includes Termin-8® and Monoprene® bacterial control agents, the Maxi-Mil® milling efficiency program, MonoProp®, Punch® and Fungex® mould control agents, Blue Royale® water treatment, Sorb-It® aflatoxin binder, Preserv-8™ to control microbial contamination in pet food and Opti-Ferm™ to increase yield in biofuel production

Anitox, which has an international network supplying customers with top-quality products, supported by the best technical, engineering, laboratory and customer services, is ISO 9001:12000 and GMP+ Certified. The company now supplies many of the world’s Top 25 feed manufacturers, with more than 36 million tonnes of feed/feed materials, representing 5% of worldwide animal feed production, being treated annually with Termin-8® to ensure they are pathogen-free and many manufacturers using Maxi-Mil® to improve milling efficiency.

Further details about Anitox products are available at www.anitox.com

Julian Cooksley, Kendalls Communications

T: +44 (0)1394 610022 E: Julian.Cooksley@kendallscom.co.uk   

Digital images are available from Kerry-Anne Rookyard, Kendalls Communications

T: +44 (0)1394 610022 E: Kerry-Anne.Rookyard@kendallscom.co.uk 

Founded in 1977 by research chemist Dr. Bob Bland, Anitox is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA and has key regional offices/operational centres in North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, together with Asia Pacific. An international corporation, Anitox is a pioneer in the field of antimicrobial products, developing and manufacturing a range of antimicrobial preservatives for animal feeds, feed ingredients and foodstuffs for human consumption. In 2007, a majority shareholding in Anitox was purchased by The Riverside Company, a leading private equity investor.

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