Company Description
NOW Foods’ values and mission are very much aligned with those of its main customers, independent health food retailers. Although the company, founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, has grown to become one of the industry’s largest manufacturers, NOW is still owned and run by the Richard family. The family ensures the company fulfills its original mission: to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives. Elwood Richard’s core belief that high-quality health products should not be a luxury available only to the wealthy still shapes the company’s policies today.

People often ask how NOW can produce quality products at such reasonable prices, and the answer is surprisingly simple: commitment. Every phase of the manufacturing process, from the purchase and delivery of raw materials, to the packaging and shipping of products, follows strict procedures overseen by an educated, experienced team of experts. NOW’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Illinois and Nevada feature complete quality assurance and quality control systems and processes, and both locations are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified and “A-rated” by the Natural Products Association (NPA).

 
  NOW Foods’ new manufacturing and
distribution building in Sparks, NV

Thorough testing and meticulous quality assurance ensure that NOW products are screened for contaminants and adulterants, labeled accurately and of the highest possible quality.

NOW’s dedication to the customers who have made its success possible is illustrated by the company’s stellar customer service and enduring commitment to the health food channel.

Key Market Areas
NOW’s product categories include dietary supplements, herbs, personal care, natural foods and an array of natural sweeteners. According to SPINS data, NOW is the #1 selling amino acid brand in the health food channel, and NOW® Solutions is #1 in Body & Massage Oils.

Major Products/Service Offerings
With over 1,400 products in its catalog including dietary supplements, personal care products, sports nutrition products and natural foods, NOW is uniquely positioned to meet the comprehensive wellness needs of health-conscious consumers. Product categories include:
• Vitamin and minerals, amino acids and antioxidants
• Cardiovascular, metabolic, immune and digestive support supplements
• Super green foods, fiber and herbs
• Joint, mobility and structural support
• Men’s and women’s specialty supplements
• Sports nutrition, weight management and protein
• Personal care, essential oils and anti-aging skincare
• Mental fitness and neural support
• Omega-3, nutritional oils and EFAs
• Natural foods, allergy-friendly and gluten-free foods, and teas
• Natural sweeteners including Sugarless Sugar™ and BetterStevia™, a proprietary whole leaf stevia extract in powders and liquids

NOW Foods is proud to support the independent health food retailer, and is absolutely dedicated to the success and growth of natural product stores. The company has tailored many aspects of its business model to serve the needs of those retailers, providing them with a diverse selection of sales tools, including retail and consumer catalogs, banners and displays, window signs, shelf talkers and informative literature for retailers and consumers.

One of NOW’s newest resources is the Online Retailer Portal, where retailers can manage their business from one convenient location to place orders, view order history and download digital product images, labels and marketing collateral. In the portal, retailers can also take advantage of the NOW® Product-ology online training system. The Product-ology training program was designed exclusively for retailers and offers fun and interactive lessons that will empower sales associates with proper knowledge about nutritional ingredients to better assist customers in the aisles.

NOW also offers manufacturing facility tours, retailer conferences, free e-newsletters and is one of the very few natural supplement companies to offer free technical support from certified nutritionists.

What’s New?
NOW Foods started out as a food company, and after achieving the goal of becoming the biggest line of supplements in independent health food stores, there is a renewed emphasis on the “Foods” in the company name:
• Living Now™, a new allergy-friendly and gluten-free line of grains, flours and baking mixes excludes eight major allergens (dairy, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, fish and shellfish). Made in a dedicated gluten-free, allergy-friendly facility, products are currently on shelves and more products will continue to be introduced.
• Ellyndale Foods, scheduled to launch in the summer of this year, is a line of gourmet natural and organic foods using premium ingredients to create unique and innovative flavors and offerings for a superior taste experience.
• As of January 1 of 2014, all NOW Foods BetterStevia™, NOW Real Food®, NOW Real Tea™ and Living Now™ food products are produced free of GMO ingredients.

NOW Foods
244 Knollwood Dr., Ste. 300
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Tel.: (630)545-9098, (888)669-3663
Fax: (630)790-8019
sales@nowfoods.com
www.nowfoods.com
Year Founded: 1968

Key Personnel
Jim Emme, CEO
Ron Pillsbury, chief operations officer
Dr. Michael Lelah, technical director
Dan Richard, general sales manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, July 2014