AFB International Celebrates Grand Opening of Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility in Thailand

AFB International, a global leader in pet food palatability solutions and a subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries, proudly announces the grand opening of its new Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The facility will play a key role supporting the rapid growth of the pet food industry in Asia while enabling AFB to better meet the evolving needs of its customers in the region.

With this facility in Asia, AFB will be able to enhance operational efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply chain, allowing for faster delivery and improved service.

'The opening our facility in Thailand marks a major milestone in our global expansion efforts. Our customers asked us to be local, and now we are! This facility strengthens our commitment to the region, allowing us to better serve our customers with enhanced efficiency, speed, and local support,' said Dale Spence, President of AFB International, reflecting on the milestone.

The new facility will serve as the regional hub for AFB International's Asia Pacific operations, bringing together corporate offices, manufacturing, R&D, and quality teams under one roof.

'Thailand, the world's third largest pet food exporter, is an ideal location for our new facility,' said Bas Melssen, General Manager/Vice President of Asia Pacific. 'As a hub for innovation in the pet food industry, Thailand aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing product development and manufacturing excellence. Establishing our Asia Pacific headquarters here allows us to leverage Thailand's expertise and leadership in the sector, being closer to our existing customers here, while further enhancing our ability to innovate and meet the growing demands of the region.'

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'Our Thailand facility is a crucial step in aligning our operational goals with our sustainability objectives,' noted Stephanie Hackmann, Vice President of Global Operations, recognizing the broader impact of the new facility. 'By localizing production, we can serve our customers more efficiently, respond faster to their needs, and significantly reduce transportation-related emissions – a win for both efficiency and the environment.'

The opening ceremony welcomed over 130 guests from 7 countries, including representatives from leading pet food manufacturers and trade associations across Asia.

Following the formal opening ceremony, AFB will continue the celebration at the company's booth N01 at Pet Fair Southeast Asia 2024, taking place from October 30 to November 1, 2024, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibitions Center (BITEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

'This is a proud moment not only for our company but for the community we are becoming a part of,' Melssen added. 'We welcome all industry professionals to visit our booth, join the festivities, and learn more about the exciting new chapter we're starting with our facility in Thailand.'

About AFB International

AFB International was founded in 1986 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA with a vision to create the best palatants and make pet food taste great. Today we are an international company with resource centers and production facilities designed to service pet food manufacturers across the world. Our portfolio of palatants are formulated to deliver optimal performance for each customer's unique needs.

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About Ensign-Bickford Industries

Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc. (EBI), founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate, which today is focused on space & defense, pet food science, and biotechnology. They participate in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multi-generational growth prospects.

Source: AFB International

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WHAT WE DO

At AFB International, we develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers. We use high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Our specialty? Meeting your unique needs with custom support. Our worldwide staff of technical experts is ready to assist you with all aspects of palatability enhancement, from product development and testing to processing, logistics and more.

HOW WE WORK

Our successful customer relationships are built on clear, consistent communication—starting with really listening to understand your needs so we can respond quickly and effectively. And we keep listening. AFB scientists and technical service managers routinely travel to customer facilities to clearly understand the challenges at hand and the systems in place. Then we can recommend the best viable solutions.

OUR TEAM

AFB is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of companion animals worldwide through superior products and services. Our diverse, committed team works collaboratively to serve our clients. Get to know us—and let us know how we can help you!

HISTORY

AFB launched in 1986 and has grown to be the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. Headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri, USA, AFB is a global company with state-of-the-art facilities in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, China, and Australia. AFB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc., a privately held, family-owned, professionally managed technical business that traces its roots back more than 185 years.

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