Nutriad invests $4 million in Hampshire facility

Keith Klanderman grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and continues to farm 160 acres there. He spent hours on a tractor cutting and baling hay earlier this month.

Klanderman, who lives in a suburb near Madison, started his career attending dental school. But the farm drew him back. He now serves as president at Nutriad Inc., an animal feed additive producer based in Belgium.

Klanderman is celebrating 30 years at the growing company that recently invested about $4 million in a new facility in Hampshire to double capacity and meet hefty growth targets. The expansion at 201 Flanagan Road brings two Elgin facilities together so that offices, laboratories and production are under one roof, which has not been the case for about 10 years when operations were in Wheeling, Klanderman said.

He said Nutriad is known as the North American leader in feed palatability products including flavors, sweeteners and masking ingredients. The new production facility will help the company accommodate the transition to migrating away from the use of certain antibiotics in livestock farming. “Our tag line is 'applying nature,'” Klanderman said.

About 20 people work at the Hampshire location while 175 are employed globally.

The company has gone through many changes over the years. Klanderman has seen the company through five ownerships, industry consolidation and increased regulations. “It has been tough to maintain the brand, but we have done it.”

In fact, last year was a record year of sales growth and earnings for Nutriad.

Out of college, Klanderman started his career working for DoBoy Feeds as a technical sales manager.

In 1985, he started with Feed Flavors as a national accounts manager. Over the years and through several company acquisitions, his efforts helped make the company a leading palatability company in North America.

When the company president is not farming or at Nutriad, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 40 years at their lake home in Spooner, Wisconsin, or boating and golfing. He said travel is a steady part of his diet, adding that he is also active in state and national politics.

He admits he is busy. “I have to pace myself and eat healthy,” he says.

A grand opening for the New Hampshire facility is August 26. Hot air balloons, tours, music and food are all part of the planned celebration.

Now open

Chances Bar and Video Gaming has been receiving accolades during its soft opening and recent grand opening in Lindenhurst.

A cozy lounge area with fireplace, large screen TVs, and a private party room and video slots are part of the mix along with numerous craft beers, many from local brewers and wine on draft. The establishment is at 455 S. Route 45 just south of the intersection of Route 45 and Stearns School Road.

Top honor

For the second consecutive year, Alden Des Plaines has been ranked as one of the best facilities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The short-term rehabilitation center, which specializes in transitional care and post-acute services, received five stars based on health inspections, nurse staffing and quality of care.

Charity group, Stern Pinball team up

Project Pinball Charity, with the support of Stern Pinball Inc. and Marco Specialties, is hosting a “Share the Love” nationwide event.

Founder Daniel Spolar, will travel more than 9,000 miles covering 26 states to dedicate pinball machines in 5 children's hospitals across the nation.

“We assist in enriching children's lives through active play and diversion from “hospital life.” This allows our smallest patients the opportunity to focus on something other than medical tests, medications, and procedures” Spolar said.

Headquartered in Bonita Springs, Florida, Project Pinball Charity, a nonprofit 501(c) 3, has been maintaining and donating machines for use in hospitals since 2011 and has since become a nationwide organization with pinball machines in hospitals across the U.S.

Spolar is scheduled to deliver machines to children's hospitals in Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Omaha and Ohio. “We're thankful for the opportunity to team up with Project Pinball Charity again and support Mr. Spolar on his nationwide pinball dedication,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball in Elk Grove Village. “We're looking forward to sharing our love for pinball with patients and uplifting their hospital experience.”