“Seeing and connecting with suppliers is crucial for understanding their products”

November 14 2024 - Blog

Around mid-July this year, IQI announced the appointment of Rick Houtepen as its new sales manager. How does he reflect on his first 100 days in the job? On what has he been focusing and what is he most looking forward to for the company and himself in the near future?

Asked about his overall feeling about the first 100 days, Rick says he feels very comfortable at IQI. “From the start, my colleagues helped familiarize me with the company and its ingredients with all their unique characteristics. This made me feel very welcome and valued right away. The atmosphere in the office is the perfect balance between informality and serious work. I also appreciate the diversity in our team: although there are many differences in backgrounds, specific areas of expertise, and ages, everyone is passionate about their work and IQI. This is what makes us strong as a whole.”

High-standard industry

Rick says that his first months have also been educational, mostly thanks to his supportive colleagues. “Everyone here can clearly explain their job, how we work, and which trends and developments are typical for today’s pet food industry. Many of these I recognize from the food sector – where I come from – because there is quite a bit of overlap, but the pet food industry is also a world of its own. I have to say I’m impressed by the overall level and high standards in this industry, with IQI being clearly at the forefront.”

Connecting with suppliers

Much of Rick’s time in the first few months has been spent on getting to know IQI’s existing and new business partners in the wet food segment within Europe – on which he is particularly focusing. “I have traveled quite a bit because physically visiting suppliers is the only way to get a feel for their products and build a good, sustainable relationship with them. This is crucial to combine well with my colleagues in the sourcing department. Traveling was already part of my previous job and fortunately I enjoy it.”

Wet food developing rapidly

According to Rick, the wet food segment is a rapidly growing and developing market. “Driven by the trend of humanization, more and more pet parents want a varied diet and healthy snacks for their dogs and cats. This requires a wide selection on the shelf with manufacturers and brands striving to meet that demand. Pet parents are increasingly seeking convenience (e.g. longer product shelf life, convenient packaging), while sustainability is an increasingly important factor in their purchasing decisions. Overall, today’s pet food products need to have high standards.”

Exploring to expand portfolio

Rick sees plenty of opportunities for IQI to grow in the wet food segment. “Many products from our current range already fit very well in this regard. Animal ingredients like IQI’s collagens are excellent binders and palatability enhancers for snacks and cooked products, while our plasma species, starches, and fibers such as tomato pomace, miscanthus, and pea, are also great binding solutions in wet food. Aiming to further expand our portfolio, we are exploring the potential of animal by-products from our own production (from our parent company OSI Group) and from existing and new suppliers. My expectations in this regard are high for the coming years. I look forward to contributing to that with my team.”

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