NOW Foods

NOW Foods
Private
Industry Nutrition & Personal Care Products
Founded Elmhurst, Illinois (1968 (1968))
Founder Elwood Richard
Headquarters Bloomingdale, Illinois, United States
Key people
 Jim Emme (CEO)
Elwood Richard (Founder)
Andy Kotlarz (CFO)
Ron Pillsbury (COO)
Aaron Secrist (QA/QC & R&D)
Rick Sharpee (Science & Nutrition)
Dan Richard (Sales Manager)
Products dietary supplements, natural foods, sports nutrition, nutritional supplements, personal care
Number of employees
 1100
Website www.nowfoods.com

NOW Foods is a natural health company headquartered in Bloomingdale, Illinois which manufactures and distributes dietary supplements, natural foods, sports nutrition, and personal care products. The company was founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard and has grown to employ over 1100 worldwide.[1]

History

The company started in 1948 when Paul Richard bought Fearn Soya Foods from Dr. Charles E. Fearn for $500.[2] Under the supervision and ownership of Paul Richard and his sons Elwood, Lou and Bill, the company grew drastically and in 1962, saw its first retail store opening in Elmhurst, Illinois. In 1968, under Elwood Richard, NOW Foods (Natural, Organic, and Wholesome) was first used as a private label within Fearn.[3]

Legal troubles in the early 1970s forced the Richards to change the name of their retail stores in 1971 to the Fruitful Yield, which is still used today.[3] The headquarters and main production facilities moved to Villa Park, Illinois in 1978, to Glendale Heights, Illinois in 1988 and finally to its current location in Bloomingdale, Illinois in 1998.[1]

A second, 130,000 sq. foot distribution plant was opened in Sparks, Nevada in 2003 and expanded to include manufacturing in 2012.[4]

To increase their personal care products NOW Foods acquired Burnham Labs in 2005, a manufacturer based in Niles, Illinois.[5]

In 2006 NOW Foods became the first for-profit business in DuPage County to receive Earth Flag Environmental Award. This award was in recognition of the company's efforts in recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, and education about the sustainability of the environment, including the company’s cleanup days in the DuPage County Forest Preserve.[6]

SPINS, a market research company reported for the 52 weeks ending July 12, 2008 that NOW Foods was the number one selling Nutritional Supplement Brand in the natural supermarket channel.[7]


Certifications

NOW Foods earned a GMP A-rating certification in 2000 from the FDA for its 250,000 sq. foot facility in Bloomingdale. In 2012 the company received a "no observations" on FDA cGMP inspection. Other certifications include a GMP certification from the Natural Products Association and organic certifications from Quality Assurance International and NSF International.[8][9]

Products

NOW Foods offers over 1,400[10] products including amino acids, antioxidants, aromatherapy products, bee products, body products, nutritional yeast, cholesterol/cardiovascular support products, cognitive brain products, diet/weight management products, digestive support products, face products, fiber supplements, glucose management products, hair care products, herbal teas, herbs and mushrooms, immune system support products, joint pain and mobility products, joint structural support products, mental fitness/mood support products, nutritional oils, sports nutrition products, and vitamins. The company sells its products through health foods stores and retailers in the United States and internationally in over 50 countries.[10]

One of NOW's most popular product is their BetterStevia brand of natural sweetener made with pure stevia. Unlike many health food companies, NOW Foods produces a whole leaf, full-spectrum extraction of stevia which preserves the many phytonutrients naturally present in the plant.[11]

Charity

NOW Foods donates to many non-profit organizations including (alphabetically):[12]


References

  1. 1 2 "History of NOW". Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  2. ↑ Shurtleff, William (2004). "Dr. Charles E. Fearn and Fearn Soya Foods". Soyinfo Center. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Richard, Dan (2009). Beating the Odds: The Success Story of NOW and the Family History Behind It (PDF). ISBN 1-890612-31-6. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  4. ↑ "NOW Food Expands in Sparks". City of Sparks. June 24, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  5. ↑ "NOW Foods Acquires PC Manufacturer". Natural Products Insider. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  6. ↑ Suzanne Shelton. "NOW Foods Receives Earth Flag Environmental Award". Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "NOW Top Selling Supplement Brand According to SPINS". Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  8. ↑ "GMP Certified Companies". NPA. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Organic Certification". Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  10. 1 2 "About Us". Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  11. ↑ Agin, Katie. "Sweetening the Deal: Natural sweeteners satisfy a sweet tooth and your bottom line.". WholeFoods Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Charitable Contributions". Retrieved May 27, 2015.
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