Our History
Throughout ABITEC’s long history one thing has remained the same, our dedication to our customers. A dedication that means we not only meet our customers needs and expectations, but exceed them all the while providing an exceptional product with unparalleled customer service.
Chris Zook, Profit from the Core The key to sustained and profitable growth is to find a repeatable formula that utilizes the most powerful and differentiated strengths in your core and applies them to a series of new "adjacent" markets.
Timeline
Started as Armstrong Chemical Company
ABITEC Corporation started out as Armstrong Chemical Company in the early 1960s. At the time Armstrong was primarily a manufacturer of ammonium chloride quaternary compounds and industrial chemicals.
1960Acquired by Stokely Van Camp
Armstrong was acquired by Stokely Van Camp. During the Stokely ownership an esterification plant was built at the Janesville, WI location to produce Medium Chain Triglycerides as well as other Kosher esters.
1979Purchased by Quaker Oats
It was in the 1980s when big changes occurred resulting from the purchase of the Janesville, WI and Columbus, OH facilities of Quaker Oats by Columbus based Capital City Products. Capital City Products had been founded in 1883 primarily as a margarine manufacturer however the business quickly grew into specialty fat and oil production. In 1988, Karlshamns USA purchased the business from Capital City Products and initiated the construction of the current corporate headquarters and advanced research and development labs.
1983U.S. Acquisition by Associated British Foods (ABF)
The company name was permanently changed to ABITEC. The name itself is derived from AB(Associated British) I(Ingredient) TEC(Technologies). Later the ABITEC would become one of 5 Ingredient companies under the ABFI (Associated British Food Ingredients) umbrella.
1994Construction of new office and labs in Janesville, WI facility
The Janesville facility underwent several upgrades and expansions including the addition of a new office building and laboratory.
2000Acquired Paris, IL plant from ACH
In 2002, ABITEC acquired the Paris, IL plant from sister company ACH Foods with capabilities in specialty blending, flaking, and spray chilling.
2002New Strategy Drives Division of Business Units
After undergoing a new strategy, ABITEC made the decision to separate their business into three key areas, Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, and Specialties. Each of the business units would focus on key initiatives for their corresponding market while keeping consistent with the core strategies of ABITEC.
2009Janesville Facility Undergoes Expansion
Two state-of-the-art reactors were included in the expansion to allow ABITEC to produce high-melting, small-volume products, which will accommodate niche market needs. In the current phase of the expansion, the company is focusing on improving filtration and packaging capabilities, which will complete the overall upgrade. In the end, it will all add up to a more versatile base of operations that can tend to the needs of a broader consumer base.
2017Acquired Swedish Lipid Company, Larodan, LLC
Located at the globally recognized Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, Larodan is known for its outstanding product quality, customer-friendly approach and extensive collaborations with academic and industrial researchers. Larodan is a world leader in the field of analytical-grade lipids and their scientific capabilities will not only expand ABITEC’s technical expertise but will also provide us with a strategic R&D location in Europe.
2020