March 11, 2008
Novus expands operations in Asia
Press Release
Novus International Inc., a leading animal health and nutrition company, recently signed agreements with various institutions in Asia, expanding its footprint in the region.
On February 20, the company announced plans to construct a Aqua Research Facility on Vietnam's Nong Lam University campus. The agreement provides Novus with 1000 square meters of land at the Nong Lam University Campus in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nong Lam University offers undergraduate aquatic degrees in Aquaculture, Aquatic Products Processing and Aquatic Animal Health Management. Master and Ph. D. programs are also offered in Aquaculture.
Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus International, Inc said the facility exemplifies the company's commitment to the development of healthy, science based, innovative products and programmes for the aquaculture market.
Novus will continue the development of aqua products and programmes based on research conducted at the new facility.
The new products and programs will be similar in nature to MERA Met Ca Plus Catfish and MERA Hypo 65. MERA Met Ca Plus Catfish was developed to improve nutrition, quality, disease prevention and overall health in catfish while reducing the usage of fishmeal. MERA Hypo 65 was developed to disinfect water in the aquaculture setting.
Construction on the US$500,000 facility is expected to be complete in the summer of 2008. Once completed, the facility will include a fish hatchery with re-circulating tanks for Pangasius Basa catfish, tilapia and shrimp. It will also house a water process laboratory, feed processing laboratory and general laboratory.
Research on organic trace mineral nutrition in India
In India, Novus International Inc. and Bombay Veterinary College announced in mid February the signing of a joint research agreement which will enable three veterinary students to conduct a two-year research project on organic trace mineral nutrition in poultry production.
''This partnership is the first of its kind involving two years of research and three students'' stated Dr. A.S. Ranade, Department of Poultry Science, Bombay Veterinary College.
New office in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Novus announced the opening of a new office in the Alabang suburb of Manila.
''Novus has marketed and sold ALIMET feed supplement and SANTOQUIN® feed preservative in the Philippines for decades,'' explained Giovanni Gasperoni, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales. ''This new location and dedicated personnel positions Novus to further assist the Filipino agricultural industry.''
Novus also appointed John Harvey, a 10-year veteran of the industry, as General Manager of the Philippine-based office. Harvey, a graduate from University College, Dublin, Ireland holds a Masters degree in Food Science & Agribusiness.
He will work to develop and market the nutritional portfolio of Novus's products including: MINTREX organic trace minerals, ACIDOMIX preservative premixture and ACTIVATE WD nutritional feed acid, in the Philippines.
Launch of Feed Quality Division in Asia-Pacific
In early January, Novus launched a Feed Quality Division in the Asia-Pacific region to assist producers in controlling costs, according to Dr Nagpal Vaighbav, Regional Feed Quality Manager
With over 10 years of industry experience (focused on feed quality), Dr Nagpal Vaighbav was appointed to launch the Asia-Pacific Feed Quality Division for Novus International in 2007.
This newly created division will concentrate on raw material preservation, manufacturing quality feed under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards, maintaining shelf life, lowering carcass contamination and better nutrient conversation rates.
About Novus International, Inc.
Novus International, Inc. is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and serves customers in more than 80 countries around the world.
