Excellence Starts with Everyone

When reviewing nominations for our annual Best of the Industry issue, we at Nutritional Outlook are reminded of how dedicated so many responsible individuals and companies are to this industry. Excellence starts from the ground up, and everyone-whether a big company or a small one, an individual or an association-plays a part in making this industry great. Belief in high quality drives each one of our 2012 Best of the Industry winners.

This year’s crop of finalists and winners came from all areas of industry. The winners were chosen by both Nutritional Outlook’s editors and readers. Each company advanced the state of the industry in some way this year, whether by obtaining new patents to open up new health applications for an ingredient; validating a new analysis method that could help standardize ingredient quality industry-wide; providing the regulatory guidance so needed in today’s tumultuous global market; or introducing ingredients to help marketers further meet consumer needs and demands. Without companies such as these, our industry would not move forward.

The second part of this issue comprises our annual People to Watch directory, a Who’s Who of the natural products industry. We encourage you to get to know these industry thought-leaders.

And, while we may talk about the strength of our industry and its growth, as the saying goes, sometimes you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is. As our guest author Kurt Roth, an investment banking professional at Robert W. Baird & Co., points out on page 20 of this issue, that’s just what companies are doing. In his article, Roth discusses the fact that natural product and dietary supplement companies are increasingly valuable commodities in the world of IPOs and mergers and acquisitions.

Finally, it’s always wise to remember one’s roots. On page 18, author Rhonda Lauritzen, who was raised in the natural products industry, interviews Mark Blumenthal, the American Botanical Council’s founder and executive director. The two chat about how the industry changed since its early days.

All of us at Nutritional Outlook wish you the very best and thank you for another great year. We’re always striving to improve and to provide you with the information and news you can truly use. Please keep in touch to let us know what we can do for you or do better-or even just to say hello!

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief jennifer.grebow@ubm.com