Chr. Hansen: 130 years old, and evolving. (Supply Source).

The founder of Chr. Hansen, Horsholm, Denmark, was a Danish pharmacist by the name of Christian Ditlev Ammentorp Hansen, who established the company based on his scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit in order to revolutionize the production of wholesome dairy products and introduce a new era. One hundred and thirty years later, Chr. Hansen has done its founder proud as it has evolved into a large multinational supplier of natural ingredient solutions for the food and health and nutrition industries. To that end, it maintains production facilities on three continents, 2500 employees in 24 countries, development centers in Denmark, the U.S., France and Germany, application centers in 21 countries and 85 distributors and agents around the world.

With North American headquarters in Milwaukee, WI, Chr. Hansen is an international company that manufactures ingredients for the pharmaceutical and nutritional industries, as well as cultures, colors, flavors, seasonings, sweeteners and enzymes for the food and agricultural industries. The company's Human Health & Nutrition division focuses on probiotics, coatings and excipients for pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Additionally, in a recently forged alliance, Chr. Hansen became the exclusive supplier of Foremost[R] NP lactose for tabletting excipients worldwide.

Discussing the company's product offerings and services in more detail was John Brown, vice president of sales for the Human Health & Nutrition division, who said it takes a "basket of goods" approach when it comes to the nutraceuticals industry. "What we do is bring a wide variety of products into a very narrowly focused area within the industry," he said. "In each of the core product areas that we represent into the nutrition industry, we also have full research and development and manufacturing capabilities."

On the probiotic front, Chr. Hansen supplies well known strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-s[R] and Bifidodacterium BB-12[R]. Based on its proprietary manufacturing techniques and know-how regarding formulation and stability, it can provide the nutraceuticals industry with stable formulations and products through its Probio-Tec[R] capsules and powders.

Chr. Hansen is also involved in the development and manufacture of a range of phytonutrients for human health, including natural carotenoids and polyphenols. The company's range of phytonutrients can be used either as single, pure agents, such as natural carotene, lutein, lycopene and polyphenols, or as mixtures of these.

Going forward, one of Chr. Hansen's goals, according to Mr. Brown, is to change the perception of Chr. Hansen in the marketplace. "We are not just an ingredient supplier," he said. "First and foremost, we provide a service and a solution to match, what the customer wants--the ingredients are almost secondary."

As for where the nutraceuticals industry is headed, Mr. Brown suggested, "I see the industry becoming more mature in terms of how they approach the products that they put into the marketplace. There is also much more consideration toward science and clinical work to support the claims of the products that are on the shelf today." As a result of this, Mr. Brown said he sees the nutraceuticals industry and the pharmaceuticals industry, moving closer and finding common ground. "I think the pharmaceutical industry is looking for ways to take advantage of some of the breakthroughs with herbs and some of the other natural products out there," he said. "On the nutraceuticals side, I think companies are relying on the capabilities that have been rooted in the pharmaceuticals industry to help create the distinction they are looking for, either for their products or their company."

Chr. Hansen, Inc.

9015 West Maple Street

Milwaukee, WI 53214

Telephone: [phone]

Fax [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.chr-hansen.com