Business Resources Archives - Page 3 of 45 - BioZyme Online Dealer Center

Letter from Lisa

What a pleasure it was to host BioZyme®’s highest achieving dealers – in dollars, action and growth – at the recent Dealer Retreat in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Olympic theme lent itself to conversations about what it takes to “get to the podium” in sports, life and business.

The podium (bronze, silver and gold) can also be symbolic of a popular selling model in many businesses called “Good, Better, Best.” The Good, Better, Best model has revolutionized consumer choices by offering a tiered selection that caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets. At its core, this model provides customers with options that vary in features, quality and price points, ensuring there’s something suitable for every individual.

The “Good” tier typically offers essential functionalities at an affordable price, appealing to budget-conscious consumers without compromising on basic needs. Moving up to “Better,” customers find enhanced features and improved performance, striking a balance between affordability and enhanced capabilities. Finally, the “Best” tier represents topof- the-line quality, boasting cutting-edge technology, superior craftsmanship and premium materials for those seeking the ultimate in performance and luxury.

This tiered approach not only simplifies decision-making but also empowers customers to make informed choices based on their specific needs and desires. Start looking and you will notice this model being used in various industries, from gas at fuel stations, to cable TV, to airline tickets and car washes because the customer is empowered to select which tier best caters to their needs.

At BioZyme, we are very anxious to announce a “Good, Better, Best” approach coming soon to the VitaFerm® line. During Dealer Retreat we officially unveiled the newest VitaFerm product, ReproMaxx®. ReproMaxx features all the premium benefits your customers need to take reproductive success to the MAXX. Born out of an environment with high cattle prices and cutting-edge research, ReproMaxx is designed to provide research-proven technologies such as AO-Biotics® Amaferm® and Zinpro® Performance Minerals®. In fact, we are proud to announce that, through collaboration with Zinpro, ReproMaxx will be one of the few beef cattle minerals on the market to carry the Zinpro Verified seal.

ReproMaxx will be positioned as the “best” VitaFerm breeding mineral to fuel reproductive success, but it may not be for every customer. Concept-Aid® is still king, and it will be positioned as the “better” breeding mineral. Newcomer VitaFerm ONE will be positioned as the “good” breeding mineral.

We are excited about this Good, Better, Best approach. We hope you are, too.

BioZyme® Dealers Recognized for Outstanding 2023 Achievements

BioZyme^® dealers were honored for their sales and action during the 2023 business year at the 2024 BioZyme Dealer Retreat. “The Best of BioZyme” was June 4-6 in Saint Joseph, Missouri, home to the leading global fermentation company that relies on nearly 2,000 dealers in its network from coast to coast.

Alan Lee, Vice President of Domestic Business, recognized the dealers for their accomplishments. Top dealers in each line of the BioZyme family of brands received a personalized belt buckle with a complementary display rack.

Award winners for 2023 include:

Top Overall Dealer
• First Place: Stockmen’s Feed Bunk, Inc. – Texas
• Second Place: High Hill Supplements – Texas

Top Action Dealer
• First Place: Boyce Feed & Grain – Texas
• Second Place: K Triangle Feed – Wyoming

Overall Rookie Dealer
• Tina Graham – Wyoming

Top VitaFerm^® Dealer
• First Place: Basore Cattle – Missouri
• Second Place: K Triangle Feed – Wyoming

Top Gain Smart^® Dealer
• First Place: Twin Rivers Nutrition – Texas
• Second Place: LaMoure Feed & Seed – North Dakota

Top Vitalize^® Dealer
• First Place: FarmVet.com, Inc. – Tennessee
• Second Place: Kentucky Buying Coop – Kentucky

Top Sure Champ^® Dealer
• First Place: Sullivan Supply – Iowa
• Second Place: Producers Coop – Texas

Top DuraFerm^® Dealer
• First Place: Heritage Cooperative – Ohio
• Second Place: Stillwater Milling Agri Center –
Oklahoma

Top Backyard Boost^® Dealer
• First Place: Shawnee Milling/Shawnee Feed Center – Oklahoma
• Second Place: Boyce Feed & Grain – Texas

Live It, Love It, Lead It Awards

New in 2024, BioZyme President and CEO Lisa Norton presented 13 Live It, Love It, Lead It Awards to dealers who exemplified leadership and passion for their businesses.

“Leadership is intentional. It is a trait you must work on every day,” Norton said just before recognizing the dealers.

Live It, Love It, Lead It is part of a leadership development program that Norton is launching and growing within BioZyme. The Live it, Love It, Lead It program’s mission is to intentionally grow leaders for the production livestock industry, through the employees, dealers and the Sure Champ® brand.

The inaugural Live It. Love It, Lead It Award Winners include:

• Basore Cattle – Missouri
• Boyce Feed & Grain Corp – Texas
• Crusty’s Feed Store – Nebraska
• Darlington Feed, LLC – Wisconsin
• DS Farm Supply – Tennessee
• Falling Timber Farm – Missouri
• Tina Graham – Wyoming
• Hallstead Farms – Kentucky
• Osage Elevator – Iowa
• Performance Feeds – Kentucky
• Reiss Seed Inc. – Kansas
• Route 51 Feed & Supply – Illinois
• WM Feeds – South Dakota

BioZyme relies on its extensive dealer network to help provide care that comes full circle to its customers and their animals across the country. We are proud of the dealers for their efforts and appreciate them for taking time to attend the Annual Dealer Retreat to learn, network and strengthen the business acumen.

To find a dealer near you, visit our dealer locator.

Letter from Lisa

Some might say that I am extreme for caring about developing leaders. However, at BioZyme^®, leadership development is just another part of the “care that comes full circle.” It doesn’t matter if it is your local 4-H club, fraternity, sports team or a Fortune 500 company, if you don’t have properly trained leaders in the driver’s seat, you will ultimately fail.

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else—through hard work.” — Vince Lombardi

Some argue that leaders are born. I don’t agree. One person might be born with more natural leadership tendencies than another, but leadership traits are developed and refined over time. That’s why two of our four values tie directly to leadership development: outreach and inspiration.

You might ask how being inspired builds leaders? It is proven that individuals who score higher on their inspiration scale accomplish more than others and have a stronger drive to master their work. They are naturally more motivated, confident and creative. At BioZyme, we strive to have a culture full of highly inspired people.

The other value – Outreach – is one we have invested countless resources in, and we are excited to continue this mission. Since 2008, BioZyme has supported young people by sponsoring and providing an educational theme at numerous junior national shows held each summer. BioZyme launched the Live It, Love It, Lead It initiative as a part of this effort in 2016.

The Live it, Love It, Lead It program’s mission is to intentionally grow leaders for the production livestock industry. The theory is that these already hard-working youth are developing the leadership traits that are cherished by BioZyme – a bias for action, a passion for continuous improvement and a belief in care that comes full circle. If we pointed out those traits and helped them intentionally focus on them, we would be growing leaders that BioZyme could 1) recruit as future employees or 2) prepare as leaders for our industry. It was always Bob’s dream to have one of these young junior exhibitors and Sure Champ^® customers make it to the Oval Office someday.

The program continues inside BioZyme as we develop our intentional leadership development program. We know that we have some of the best employees in the business, but we must continue to grow them into leaders. We want them to lead BioZyme. And we want them to represent BioZyme and lead other industry organizations effectively.

At BioZyme, we believe building effective leaders is best accomplished by focusing on nine competencies. These competencies fit into the three categories, Live It, Love It, Lead It.

The Live It competencies are all ones that an effective leader must live each and every day.

• Care that comes full circle

• Effective communication

• Self-awareness

The Love It competencies are things that are hard, but the leader knows they must love to do them and share that passion throughout their team.

• Structure, systems & processes

• Innovation & improvement

• Results-balance

The Lead It competencies must be intentionally part of the leader’s inner core, ensuring they happen to keep the organization passionate and sustainable.

• Drives action

• Quality decisions

• Inspired accountability

Leadership is growth, and growth doesn’t happen overnight. Watch for more about the Live It, Love It, Lead It program and how we are growing leaders through our Sure Champ outreach efforts and Building Effective Leaders internally.

I challenge each dealer to think about their leadership skills and how they can grow and develop them.

Letter from Lisa

At about this point in the year we begin to say “oh well” to our new year’s resolutions. Many people find it difficult to stick to their goals, especially when they’re big and ambitious. But what if there was a way to make it easier to achieve these big lofty goals or challenges.

That’s where the power of small wins comes in. Small wins are those little successes that you achieve along the way to a larger goal. They can be anything from walking for 5 minutes in the morning to finishing a difficult task when trying to close a big sell. Small wins are significant because they give you a sense of accomplishment. They boost your confidence and motivation, and they make it easier to stay on track to hit the big goal.

In fact, research has shown that people who focus on small wins are more likely to achieve their goals than those who don’t. Business struggles are no different. If you’re struggling to achieve your business goals, try breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on making small wins by using the following tips:

1. Break down big goals into smaller, more manageable tasks: Instead of focusing on a big, intimidating goal, break it down into smaller, more achievable tasks. This will make it easier to track progress and stay motivated.

2. Use small wins to build momentum: Small wins can help build momentum toward bigger goals. As you achieve more small wins, you’ll feel more confident and motivated to tackle bigger challenges.

3. Track your progress: Keep track of your progress toward your goal. This will help you see the progress you’re making, even if it’s just small steps.

4. Celebrate small wins: When you achieve a small win, take the time to celebrate and acknowledge progress. Every step you take toward your goal is progress.

At BioZyme, we always default to action to help us to take those small steps, because we believe action = growth. It is something that we have proven repeatedly at BioZyme, growing 146% over one five-year period. We have accomplished a lot of big things thanks to many of you, but it has always been the small accomplishments that have created the momentum we could sustainably continue.

In The Rise of Superman (New Harvest, 2014), Steven Kotler considers the sweet spot to be where the task is hard enough to make us stretch but not so tough that it causes us to snap, a value he ascribes numerically at four percent. This single-digit approach illustrates that a goal must be close enough that it can be achieved—but at least four percent more challenging. Four percent seems so small, but yet it is all it takes to accomplish those big goals.

BioZyme’s Guide: How to Market a Product

At BioZyme®, we provide you a vast array of products to sell to your customers. We know that you likely have other products and services to sell as well. However, once you have the products and services, they must be marketed, so your customers know what you have available. We don’t want to leave you in the dark.

That’s why our team felt it was vitally important to provide you with this comprehensive guide on how to market a product. We’ll look at a lot of different tips and tools that will help you sell your products and grow your business!

The best way to market a product depends on various factors. You have to consider the target audience, the nature of the product, the budget, and the overall marketing goals.

However, there are some general strategies that can be effective in marketing products. Here are 10 tips on how to market a product.

10 Useful Tips on How to Market a Product

1. Know Your Target Audience

The first step in how to market a product: know who you’re marketing to. Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective marketing. For instance, if you are in a highly concentrated cow-calf area with horses and dogs, you would be more likely to stock up and promote VitaFerm® and Vitalize® products.

There probably isn’t much demand for Backyard Boost® for backyard chickens in big ranch country. Knowing your target audience is the first key to success when marketing any product.

2. Develop a Strong Brand Identity

Establish a clear and compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience. This includes creating a memorable brand name, logo, tagline and visual elements that reflect your brand’s values and personality.

Luckily for you, at BioZyme, we have created the brand identity for our products, and we have marketing collateral like ads, logos and other campaign materials ready for your use.

Maybe you need to brand your store or dealership? You can work with our in-house marketing team to help you with that, too! Submit a marketing request in the Online Dealer Center and we can help you create a logo or any marketing piece you might be looking for.

3. Create Compelling Content

Develop high-quality, engaging content that showcases the features, benefits and unique selling points of your products. This can include product descriptions, images, videos, blog posts, social media posts and customer testimonials.

Now, this is easier said than done. After all, it’s one thing to know how to market a product, and another thing entirely to produce quality marketing materials. But, knowing your audience and knowing your brand gives you a leg up.

Have you signed up for Promoboxx? We have ready to use social campaigns loaded into Promoboxx for your use each quarter. We also have several of our logos and other content ready to use on the Online Dealer Center.

4. Utilize Multiple Channels

Just like one size doesn’t fit all with a mineral program, the same can be said for marketing channels. While I might still appreciate reading an ad in a print ad in a publication, another generation might enjoy social media or even hearing an ad on the radio while out feeding cattle.

Take advantage of various marketing channels to reach your target audience effectively. This may include digital channels such as social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, and influencer partnerships, as well as traditional channels such as print advertising, television, radio, and direct mail.

5. Optimize for Mobile

With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it’s essential to optimize your marketing efforts for mobile devices. Ensure that your website, emails, ads and other digital content are mobile-friendly and provide a seamless user experience across different devices.

6. Engage with Your Audience

Foster meaningful connections with your audience by actively engaging with them on social media, responding to comments and messages, soliciting feedback and encouraging user-generated content. Building a community around your brand can help strengthen customer loyalty and advocacy.

No one likes to hear silence on the other end of their posts. By engaging and interacting with your audience, it makes your brand appear more human. In the end, people buy from other people, not robots. If your brand seems more engaging and humanized, your customers will appreciate that and potentially turn into repeat buyers.

7. Offer Promotions and Discounts

Entice customers with special promotions, discounts, coupons and loyalty programs to incentivize purchases and encourage repeat business. Limited time offers and exclusive deals can create a sense of urgency and drive sales when it comes to how to market a product.

Check with your ASM to discover how BioZyme can partner with you on promotions. Do you need a postcard, or a stuffer insert for your monthly billing statement. Remember, we are here to help you! We want your messaging to stay consistent and on-brand, so please reach out to our team!

8. Monitor and Measure Results

Regularly monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns and track key metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, social media engagement and return on investment (ROI). Use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies and adjust as needed.

Perhaps your Instagram traffic isn’t performing as well as you’d like. Maybe it’s time to shift gears and move those efforts to another platform. If your Facebook traffic is generating results, and getting customers into the store, maybe that is the channel you should focus more attention and resources on.

9. Build Relationships with Influencers and Partners

Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, industry experts and complementary brands to expand your reach and gain credibility within your target market. Influencer partnerships and co-marketing initiatives can help increase brand awareness and reach new customers.

In other words, people like to buy from their peers. Is there someone in your community that excels in their particular area? Do they use products you market? Leverage that to your advantage. Perhaps there is a show livestock exhibitor who just won the State Fair feeding Sure Champ® products. Ask them to share testimonials on your website, or even speak at a producer meeting about their results and the benefits they have used. The same example can be used for any of the BioZyme family of brands.

Find & Utilize Collaborators

Also, when setting up a producer meeting, work with complementary company. Perhaps you are planning a meeting prior to breeding season to promote VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®.

Partner with a local semen company to put on the dinner and meeting. Both companies share the common goal of helping others succeed with breeding success. Doesn’t it also make sense to share customer lists and resources to share costs?

10. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Deliver exceptional customer service and support throughout the entire customer journey. Respond promptly to inquiries and resolve issues quickly and effectively to build trust and loyalty with your customers.

Customer service sells. Our customers what to know that you know about the products. They want service. They want you to help carry a few bags of mineral out to their truck. They would like you to open on Saturday mornings. Little things add up to make a big difference when it comes down how to market a product.

BioZyme can Help You Market Products

As we mentioned earlier in this blog, the BioZyme Marketing Team offers a variety of marketing pieces to its dealers to help market products. Let’s discuss these pieces in more detail.

Readily Available Marketing Materials

A variety of marketing materials including signage, shelf danglers, aisle violators, counter mat inserts, brochures and more are available from the SAMM Center. These are available in quantities for your use at your dealership, trade show or meeting. In a time crunch? Printable files of most items are also available online.

Customized Marketing Materials

Are you looking for something more customized? Perhaps you are hosting a producer meeting and need invitations, or you would like a sign for your store. BioZyme can also help with these projects.

Submit a marketing request in the Online Dealer Center, at least three weeks prior to when you need your project or talk to your ASM. Please allow a little more time for items that require mailing like postcards or invitations that have specific dates, as bulk mail does take longer to go through the mail system.

First Things First

Remember, you can’t sell what you don’t have. It is important to keep inventory on hand of the products that your customers need and want that have seasonal demand. It is always wise to review sales from the same time the previous year, to be sure you have in stock what you sold last year and even the year prior.

What does that mean going into spring?

Springtime Products for Cattle

It’s breeding season, fly season and HEAT season! It’s time to stock up on VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®, any products with ClariFly®, garlic and HEAT®.

Now would also be a great time to stock up on the new VitaFerm ONE, a solution for all seasons.

Stock up for Chick Days

In many parts of the country, Chick Days are happening. Be sure to stock up on Backyard Boost products for your customers bringing home chicks.

Additionally, with spring, the migration of songbirds is happening. Be sure to include the Backyard Boost Songbird Balls for the bird watchers in your area.

Stock up for Spring, Summer Shows

It’s not too early to start thinking about how to market a product for spring and summer livestock shows. Make sure to stock up on the complete line of mineral, gels and liquid in the Sure Champ® line to help your show livestock customers #PreptoWin!

Don’t forget to be fully stocked with Gain Smart®, Vitalize® and DuraFerm® as well. You know your customers the best, and you know what they want and when they want it.

By implementing a combination of these strategies and continually refining your approach based on feedback and insights, you can develop effective marketing campaigns. That way, you can drive awareness, engagement and product sales!

Letters from Lisa

At BioZyme®, values are a critical component of our identity, decision-making processes and overall success. The BioZyme values have helped us create a positive and purpose-driven work environment for over 60 years. For many of these 60 years, BioZyme had three values. These included Research, Innovation and Outreach or Giving Back.

Why these values? Because they are who we areand why we exist. The value of Research ensures our products have an undeniable impact on the animals our customers work so hard to produce and love. Innovation encourages creativity, risk-taking and learning. Giving back is a value of high importance because we believe we have a responsibility to contribute to the well being of the broader community. These three values have served BioZyme well for a very long time.

There is a push and pull relationship between staying true to your values and allowing yourself to change and progress. After all, one of our values is innovation, which is often synonymous with some type of change. Growth, at any level, requires change. When an entity grows, it must change. Think of children as they progress through the stages of infant, toddler, teenager, adult – or a calf from newborn to weaning.

So, how do you change but stay true to your values?

The answer, we’ve found, is a one-degree change. The one-degree change feels slight; after all, it is just one tiny little degree. Yet, a one-degree change can be extremely powerful. As an example, prior to fancy avionics, pilots, especially in the military, were often taught about the 1-to-60 rule. Basically, it means that a one-degree off-set will put you off one mile from your intended destination at 60 miles from start. Traveling 600 miles? You’ll be 10 miles from where you thought. Small changes (good or bad) can make a big difference in outcomes.

So, in 2024, BioZyme’s commitment remains deeply rooted in our values, as well as to growth. Growth of our business, growth of our dealers, growth of our outreach. This growth will require many one-degree changes. We are excited to present these to you, our dealers, throughout the year as we whole heartedly believe they will also contribute to your growth.

A few of our own examples to illustrate the concept:

– The integration of Vita Charge products into Sure Champ and VitaFerm that began in January. This is one-degree change (only the brand name/look of the product) that we believe is already having an impact. We launched the “new look” at National Western Stock Show in Denver with great feedback and many comments about folks being excited to get their hands on the VitaFerm Cattle Drench.

– The launch of VitaFerm ONE in February. To say this is just a ONE-degree change (pun intended) feels a bit odd to those of us that have worked extensively on it for nearly a year, but all in all it is just a small change to open a BIG door of opportunity to have a product to position as a year-round mineral. And that’s what one-degree changes are all about.

If you know us very well, you know we aren’t going to stop there. The excitement we have for some of the one-degree changes we are developing for this year is extensive. The opportunities have never felt bigger. And for that we are very thankful.

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Jennifer Miller

This month, we got to know a little bit about a big-hearted lady – Jen Miller. She has two decades of experience in customer support, making her an invaluable team member.

Jen has worked in several roles at BioZyme, but she shines when helping others, especially our dealers.

Outside of the office, Jen is a wife, mom, grandma and outstanding lady who likes to have fun.

Let’s learn a little more about a day in her life at BioZyme!

Title: Dealer Recruitment and Retention Manager

Number of Years at BioZyme: 6 years

Describe a typical day in your job:

Work on all dealer applications that come via BioZymeinc.com. I contact the interested potential customers and go over a few questions to let them know what our goal is for dealers to ensure they are the right type of dealer for BioZyme.

I also work with the Action Team to ensure we are working on our goals and helping our new and existing customers meet their goals, not only by sales but also by action! This team is part of the Retention side- Yes, we do need new dealers to grow, but we also must help our existing customers with everything we have to help them grow as well. We focus on the tools we offer outside of sales to ensure they have all the help they need to be successful.

We are working on a process for the recruitment side of this job. Our goal is to build a pipeline of leads to be able to convert into new customers. This is a big task, but I am super excited, as this is key to helping BioZyme grow in the future!

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done at BioZyme?

I was able to help get everything set up for our International Partners Meeting in 2019, which was hosted in St Joseph, Mo. It was very interesting getting to meet all the different nationalities and learn how they position Amaferm® and what a huge impact it makes!

What has been one of the biggest challenges?

Getting the dealers to buy-in to Dealer Center and use the tools we offer to take actions to help grow their business. But I believe in 2024 we will see a change in our dealers’ mindset on this with the Action Team helping to make awareness of what all we offer from Dealer Center, Marketing, Message Board and all the other great tools we offer.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?

I believe what the Action Team and I do on a daily basis by working with our dealers to ensure their success not only through sales but through the great tools we offer is definitely “Care That Comes Full Circle!” I do not know too many companies that offer a great tool like the Dealer Center that just doesn’t focus on Sales but on Marketing, Training, Product Knowledge and so much more. We take care of our customers on every level!

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office?

Well, I have a few:

Seeing my beautiful grandbabies.

Going on adventures with family and friends!

Watching all the birds eat the Songbird Balls! I go through about 2 packs of songbird balls every 3 days! It is becoming an expensive hobby, lol!

Thank you, Jen, for your heart and compassion for others. We are glad to have you as part of the BioZyme family!

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Leadership Team Reflects on 2023 — Looks Forward to 2024

“No man will make a great business who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit of doing it.” Those are the words of American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie eloquently described, before his time, the Leadership Team, that is guiding BioZyme® Inc., in 2023 and beyond.

Although each company faces challenges, the BioZyme Leadership Team leads each individual team to pivot those challenges into opportunities on a regular basis. Let’s look back at 2023, and review some of the big wins, according to our leaders.

PRESIDENT & CEO
LISA NORTON

Defining wins in 2023 is subjective and depends on individual experiences, goals and perspectives. However, from my seat on the bus, I would define 2023 wins by reflecting on the following.

Personal Achievements: If you accomplish significant personal goals, 2023 was a win. With the use of the Culture Index (work traits analytics) in almost every facet of our business, I think we have had a win here. People understand themselves better so they can work with others to accomplish personal achievements.

Relationships: If you build strong and meaningful relationships it makes for an incredible win. This for sure happened in 2023; we had more meetings and offers to be partners with our vendors, customers and potential customers than we have ever had in the history of the company. Just to name a few, our bagging supplier, our phosphorus supplier, Zinpro, Furst-McNess and Trait Bio.

Health and Well-Being: BioZyme continues to be in a strong financial position. That is always a win in a forprofit business.

Positive Change: Getting our corporate governance and board of directors in place was a huge win in 2023. We now have a dynamic, experienced board of directors who represent all the opportunities and challenges BioZyme faces – industry, science, use of funds and historical perspective.

Happiness: Thanks to all our team members (YOU), most days we experienced and supported each other’s happiness which made the atmosphere at BioZyme happy. For me, that is always a win. Sure, we all make mistakes occasionally, but in totality I think we did a great job in 2023 at being happy, despite a lot of stress from capital projects and slow sales.

Learning and Growth: If you learn, grow and develop new skills or knowledge during a year, it is a huge win. I saw lots of this going on in 2023. Some learning was intentional (all manufacturing team becoming PCQI) and much came from the experiences of each day. In any case, it is a win.

Overcoming Challenges: Successfully overcoming challenges, adversity or obstacles is always a win as it demonstrates resilience and personal growth. In my opinion, we have done a lot of this over the last two years. We have done it by sticking together, not giving up and looking forward instead of backward. Ultimately, what makes a win in a company is a whole bunch of personal wins throughout each individual team member’s work. I think we had a lot of that in 2023, and for that I am very grateful!

DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
VOLKER ALTENBOKUM

This was a very busy, but successful year. Our focus was the launching effort for AO Biotics® EQE. The product is now already actively sold in eight different countries, and we are continuously registering it in more countries. Validation studies were done with many egg producers in different countries, and our research is confirmed constantly.

Another focus was the signing of distribution agreements in interesting countries that have a good potential for our portfolio. We appointed new distribution partners for the GCC countries, Egypt and Slovenia. Continuous training of Product Managers and Salespeople of our distribution partners was a very important part of our work. This is the base for continued growth we are expecting for 2024 and beyond.

DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH & COGENT
KEN FORD

One of our biggest achievements from a marketing perspective has been positioning the BioZyme family of brands from a silo of individual brands to a family this year. This lets our customers know that we offer multiple products across species and that we can help more than just one kind of animal at a time.

We have also been building new teams and introducing new people to BioZyme, while overall getting better at knowledge transfer. We can never stop learning and growing, and this knowledge we learned in 2023 will help take us further in 2024.

The sales and marketing teams stepped up their retail merchandising and display activation. Thanks to you, the dealers, we now have more signage and presence each quarter, and this will continue into the next year.

In Animal Health, we continue to support our distributors and have eight additional salespeople working in the field servicing wholesale partners as they promote our products to the retail channel. In addition, Ali Brunner has transferred from ASM to Animal Health Sales Manager.

We have heard from our partners through the surveys and through that feedback the team is working to identify gaps in our product range so that we are able to introduce new products in 2024.

On the human health side, we were excited to focus complete attention on Baxyl® and HyaGlo® with the transition of all equine and companion animal products from Cogent to the Vitalize® line. We rebranded Baxyl and have built a new team while developing a new web-based platform for these products.

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY & REGULATORY
JILL VANOVER

This year, the quality and regulatory teams worked diligently to show just how WOWING BioZyme can be as we strive to live and breathe quality and compliance each day. Some of our 2023 wins are highlighted below.

BioZyme rocked our 2023 quality certification audits:
• Stockyards FAMI-QS – 99%
• Stockyards Safe Feed, Safe Food – 100%
• Easton FAMI-QS – 100%
• Cogent GMP – 100%
• Surprise EPA inspection at Stockyards – no findings
• Surprise FDA audit at Stockyards – no findings
• Surprise Eurofins FAMI-QS audit at Stockyards and Easton – no findings

We increased awareness of food safety and safe, accurate product through education:
• PCQI training for all of operations, quality, laboratory employees
• FAMI-QS training for regulatory personnel

We updated and implemented a more robust sampling and testing plan for finished products and raw materials:
• Updated Amaferm testing plan
• Implemented EQE testing plan
• Implemented Amaferm ECO testing plan
• Implemented a test-and-hold program for all international orders
• Created and implemented a sampling calendar for communication on testing needs and deadlines

We prioritized and expanded the scope of laboratory testing, monitoring, and documentation:
• In-house copper testing with one-day turnaround
• In-house non-protein nitrogen
• In-house acid insoluble ash
• In-house liquid fiber analysis
• Increased aseptic technique in Microbiology lab
• Implemented in-process environmental monitoring
• Implemented daily sterility checks for every AO batch
• Generated SOPs for Analytical and Microbiology labs

As we close out the year, we look back on all we’ve learned and the new relationships that have been solidified. I am especially thankful to be part of a work family where colleagues support and encourage each other and excellence is expected. I am most grateful that despite all the challenges we faced in 2023, our team has stayed the course and is fully dedicated to a bigger and brighter 2024!

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
IGNACIO IPHARRAGUERRE

In the dynamic landscape of 2023, BioZyme’s Research & Innovation battalion experienced a pivotal year defined by strategic initiatives and groundbreaking accomplishments. Noteworthy was the company’s significant investment in state-of-the-art fermentation and drying technologies, laying a robust foundation for advancements in biotechnology.

This dedication also manifested in the expansion of our research portfolio, exemplifying our commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific innovation. Our team successfully devised and implemented a strategic innovation system finely attuned to both business development objectives and the evolving needs of our diverse customer base.

A highlight of the year was the team’s instrumental role in fortifying the AO-Biotics® brand, achieved through the strategic launch of a specialized postbiotic tailored for laying hens. This targeted product not only bolstered our market presence but also showcased our dedication to addressing specific challenges within the poultry industry.

Moreover, BioZyme actively contributed to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of postbiotics, with research findings garnering recognition from esteemed peers, including the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). These accolades underscore our commitment to scientific excellence and further solidify our standing as industry leaders.

Importantly, the team continued to deepen its understanding of the impact of Amaferm, BioZyme’s flagship additive, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence in animal nutrition. Efforts to expand our additive portfolio reflect a forward-thinking approach, aimed at addressing major challenges in animal nutrition and health. This comprehensive approach to innovation, coupled with a steadfast dedication to scientific inquiry, positions BioZyme as a trailblazer in the field, ensuring sustained growth and impact in the years to come.

Top Growth Products in 2023

It’s hard to know where you should go, without reviewing where you’ve been. We thought it would be fun to review some of our top selling products for 2023 year-to-date, compared to the same time last year.

These products are fast growing, and by keeping them stocked on your shelves and in your warehouse, you might just see a difference in your sales.

Backyard Boost® Defense – 8 oz

This was by far the top growth product, experiencing nearly a 151% growth, year over year. This liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response is also a high-margin product. It can be marketed during chick days and beyond as it provides nutrients needed in times of stress and promotes water intake and hydration. Several dealers actually use it to turn their water green during chick days and have signage that encourages customers to “Ask me about the Green Water.”

Gain Smart® Wheat – 50 lb bag

This somewhat seasonal and regional product charted a 92% growth in sales. A free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for stocker cattle designed to maximize efficient gain on wheat or small grain pasture. Gain Smart Wheat provides nutritional support for a healthy immune system. It contains Amaferm, organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health.

Vitalize® Blazin – 32 oz

This liquid product for horses is designed to support normal recovery from heat stress and exertion. This quick response product grew in sales 66%. It promotes cellular hydration and water retention. In addition to Amaferm, it includes antioxidants to reduce damaging free radicals caused by exertion and heat.

Sure Champ® Joint Juice – 64 oz bottle

Posting a 68% sales growth, is this multi-specie liquid product for livestock designed to support joint health utilizing patented technology. Joint Juice supports sustainable soundness and mobility while it lubricates joints. It contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

VitaFerm Conserve® CTC 3G – 50 lb bag

This VitaFerm product also charted a 67% growth. It’s a vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle with CTC designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. It features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package and contains CTC for control of anaplasmosis.

DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid® – 50 lb bag

In the small ruminant line, this product grew by 39%. This free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for goats is designed to support reproductive success. It supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals, while high levels of vitamin E assist in reproductive tract repair.

Vita Charge® Clench Gel – 30 mL

This rapid-response product grew in sales by 22%. Clench is a gel for all livestock designed to support normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. It contains MOS to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system and electrolytes to support rehydration. It also has Amaferm, to enhance digestibility. Like all Vita Charge and Sure Champ products, it can be used on show livestock without testing and doesn’t interfere with antibiotics.

As you can see with a range in growth across product lines from 22% to 151%, the BioZyme family of brands truly does offer something for every customer. We recommend stocking some of these high-margin, more popular products to make sure that your sales continue to grow into 2024 and beyond.

Marketing materials or signage are now available in the SAMM Center (Signage, Apparel, Marketing Materials) in the Online Dealer Center. These branded materials, in one location, make your marketing even easier than ever.

Letters from Lisa

What Did 2023 Mean to Me?

As we enter a new year, I always like to reflect on the past. 2023 was a year of recovery in many ways. To be honest, for me, 2022 went by without any real intention, but more so I was merely trying to make it from one day to the next. Grief is a funny thing; it sneaks up on you and doesn’t really care what you need or where you are trying to go.

I was quite happy and relieved when I made it to 2023, hoping things would at least start moving week to week, not only day to day. And as He always does, God delivered. BioZyme has taken advantage of this time and accomplished many items that will have a significant impact on our very bright future. They include:

Tripling our fermentation and downstream capacity and ensuring that capacity allows for the most complex and impactful fermentation possible. This will ensure we can continue using fermentation and the knowledge we receive from it to develop passionate solutions for undeniable impact.

Restructuring the company governance to have a dynamic, experienced board of directors that represents all the opportunities and challenges BioZyme faces – industry, science, use of funds and historical perspective.

Expanding the manufacturing and sales teams so we have the mental and physical recourses to not be reactive but proactive and working to be amazingly predictive.

Getting our market channels better defined so we can help animals through all of our abilities, including nutrition, health, additive technologies and manufacturing expertise. This has resulted in two new divisions: animal health and toll manufacturing (pelleting, minerals, fermentation/DSP, liquids and gels) both of which have a very bright future.

Expanding our operation to have an equine-safe line. This separate line allows us to manufacture in a 100% safe environment from a horse’s perspective. This also allowed all our manufacturing, outside of the tubs, to be in-house. This accomplished goal is one we have had for a few years.

Always looking ahead with intention, to ensure we don’t miss a chance to grow as humans in providing care that comes full circle in all that we do.

In 2024, we’ll set our sights up high,

With dreams as vast as the endless sky.

The future opportunities, we can’t deny,

A world of success will be nigh.

In every heart, a burning desire,

To reach higher, to aspire.

In this year, we won’t tire,

For hard work is what we require.

We’ll innovate, create and explore,

To open new pathways and unlock the door.

Challenges faced, we’ll conquer and more,

The future’s success, we’ll surely implore.

With diligence, hard work, and funation,

We’ll build a cool but thankful foundation.

In 2024, a global celebration,

Of progress, growth and realization.

In our strategies, willingness to change and graphic arts,

We’ll make our mark, playing our parts.

While innovation will set us apart,

Always working toward a brighter future and a fresh start.

So let us march into this year, with hope and purpose, without fear.

In 2024, success will be clear.