BioZyme® Inc. Hires Steven Stone as ASM in Dakotas
Steven Stone, Strasburg, Colo., joins BioZyme® Inc., as the new Area Sales Manager (ASM) for in North and South Dakota.
In his role, he will work with the dealer network, promote the BioZyme family of brands and collaborate with dealers and customers. As with everyone at BioZyme, his goal is to empower our customers and partners as they improve their animals’ health and nutrition.
Stone brings extensive agricultural sales experience and practical livestock knowledge to his role as ASM. He worked his way from pen rider to mill supervisor at the former Conagra Feedlot in Gilcrest, Colorado. He spent time as a ranch manager, collected bulls at a bull stud, taught high school agricultural classes and worked in sales. He also spent time as an entrepreneur. His early career goals included becoming an agricultural lobbyist, which led him to pursue his first degree in social science at the University of Northern Colorado–Greeley. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from the Middle Tennessee State University-Murfreesboro.
“I’m most excited about working for a company that has the animals’ best interest at heart. Those animals depend on our nutrition, and our job is to ensure they perform. I can fully embrace the care that comes full circle philosophy that BioZyme employs,” Stone says.
Granite Creek Capital Partners Announces Acquisition of Ritchie Industries
Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C., a private investment firm based in Chicago, has acquired Ritchie Industries, Inc. (“Ritchie” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of automated livestock watering products.
Ritchie offers a complete line of livestock watering products for the beef, dairy, equine and other livestock markets. The waterers are manufactured in Conrad, Iowa, continuing the legacy of the Company’s founder, Thomas Ritchie, who patented the first automatic float-controlled livestock watering device in 1921.
“Ritchie has a storied history and has built an unmatched reputation for quality and integrity,” said Jim Clark, Partner at Granite Creek. “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Company to build on its strong foundation and explore new products and services that will further expand Ritchie’s market-leading position.”
Mike Ray, Operating Partner at Granite Creek, added, “We are ready to leverage our expertise in livestock markets and animal health to support the Ritchie team. Clean, reliable water access in any weather and operating conditions is vital to a herd’s performance. We look forward to supporting Ritchie’s ongoing product innovation efforts for its customers in the United States and international markets.”
The Granite Creek-led acquisition of Ritchie was supported by an investment from Rural American Fund and a rollover investment from Ritchie’s management and employees.
László Pecze Director Topigs Norsvin Central Europe
László Pecze has been appointed director of Topigs Norsvin Central Europe, and started his new position Jan. 23. He reports to Arno van de Laar, Regional Director Europe.
Topigs Norsvin Central Europe is based in Budaörs, near Budapest, and is active in 14 countries in the region.
For the last 17 years, Pecze managed the pig production and later the total production of a major agricultural group in Hungary. From 2007 to 2008, he was Area Manager and Technical Consultant for Topigs Norsvin.
“I admire the dedication and passion the people of Topigs Norsvin have for their profession and pigs,” Pecze says. “The organization’s staff have been and will continue to be a professional base and a point of reference for producers in the region. Thanks to these factors and the outstanding quality of the genetics and support, Topigs Norsvin is a key contributor to the successful future of pork production in Central Europe.”
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