St. Joe Now
An employee prepares a shipment of animal health products at the AgriLabs warehouse.
Born in St. Joseph and national in scope, AgriLabs is celebrating its silver anniversary this week.
AgriLabs shareholders gathered for their annual meeting Thursday. The company was formed in 1984 by a group of business leaders, including Wes Remington, a key developer in St. Joseph's animal health industry. The company now works with 42 different manufacturers and markets about 960 animal health products across the United States.
"AgriLabs' success is being able to adjust to the marketplace and change our business model to adapt. We find companies to work with that have a need that we fill," said Steve Schram, president and chief executive officer.
Twenty-five years ago, all AgriLabs products were for farm animals, but now the pet sector makes up 15 percent of its business. Mr. Schram said the companion-animal industry has the greatest growth potential.
Recently, AgriLabs partnered with an Australian company to market a hormone product for beef and dairy cattle. But most business is done very close to home.
"One of the nice things about being in the health corridor, in particular in St. Joseph, is we get to partner with companies like Boehringer Ingelheim and Teva and sell their products under our label or their label," Mr. Schram said.
AgriLabs does not receive a lot of attention, but is a good example of how a manufacturing base generates other business, said Cyndra Lorey, with the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce.
"They are exactly the type of company we look for because of their growth potential," Ms. Lorey said. "They are a good, solid company that continues to be a great corporate citizen."
AgriLabs employs 28 people at its offices and warehouse on State Route K. Another 23 employees work through the country in the sales, marketing and veterinary staff.
"We bring a real value to manufactures in the corridor because we're close and we can ship for them all around the United States," Mr. Schram said.
In the future, consolidation in food production, a shortage of rural veterinarians and more female veterinarians will shape the business, Mr. Schram said.
Business editor Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.
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