May 12, 2011

 

Novus expands feed supplement manufacturing facility in Arkansas

 

Novus International, Inc. cut the ribbon commemorating the opening of its newly expanded Novus Arkansas facility in Little Rock on May 10.

 

The Novus Arkansas site was developed in the Little Rock Riverport Industrial Park in 2006 to manufacture MHA^® feed supplement, a dry, granular powder that provides an effective and environmentally friendly source of methionine, an essential amino acid in premixes and farm feed mills. MHA provides benefits to laying hens and other livestock and companion animals. 

 

The new expansion features a 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility for MINTREX^®, a unique line of chelated trace mineral products for aquaculture, poultry, pork, beef, dairy and pet nutrition. Chelated trace mineral technology enables farmers to reduce their levels of mineral inclusion, thus saving money and reducing waste to the environment.

 

The Novus Arkansas facility has received numerous safety and health certifications, including: FAMI-QS, an industry standard for hygiene and feed safety; Safe Feed-Safe Food from the American Feed Industry Association; ISO 9002 certification, the international standard for quality management systems; and European HACCP.

 

Additionally, the expanded facility earned Silver LEED Certification from the US Green Building Council.  LEED Certification is the internationally recognised standard for green building certification.

 

Environmentally conscious features of the facility include: water re-use, renewable energy sources, use of recycled materials, management of construction waste, indoor environmental quality and a number of other factors which reduce the environmental impact and enhance the human health environment.

 

"Novus's vision is to 'help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life,'" said Thad Simons, president and CEO, Novus International, Inc. during the ceremony.  "We believe that a culture that emphasises sustainability will help us achieve our global vision.

 

"Our decision to invest in a facility that is geared towards reducing our environmental footprint underscores Novus's commitment to creating environmental, social and economic sustainability in Arkansas and the communities we serve around the world," Simons said.

 

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, who addressed an audience of about 300 attendees at the event, said Arkansas is one of a handful of states whose economy has remained strong. 

 

"We have succeeded because the state has focused its efforts on attracting jobs like these we are announcing today,'' Beebe said.

 

The new facility, located on a 53-acre parcel in the Little Rock Riverport industrial park, will employ more than 40 workers - an increase of over 30 new employees. 

 

Novus has nearly 1,000 employees worldwide serving more than 3,000 customers across 100 countries. The products from Novus Arkansas will ship to more than 60 countries around the world.