Vita-Tech International: Bridging the Supplement Industry

It may be hard to believe now, but Vita-Tech International, Tustin, CA, actually started out with one used tablet machine over 50 years ago. Today, however, the company glistens with modern technology, serves companies in 25 countries, has over 200 employees, and maintains over 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space. As a contract manufacturer, its clients include some of the highest profile companies in the business.

Currently, the company manufactures tablets, two-piece capsules and powders in a pharmaceutical environment, meeting and exceeding GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) as defined by the FDA. Due to its “people-safe” approach to manufacturing, Vita-Tech uses water-based coating systems and avoids using artificial ingredients and chemical solvents when at all possible. According to the company, its risk-averse clients rely on Vita-Tech for a variety of reasons, including meeting tight deadlines, reducing unit cost, locating hard-to-find raw materials, and custom blending and manufacturing high quality nutraceuticals.

Although consumer safety is always the first priority, the quality of the product is held to extremely high standards and compliance to SOP’s is “a must.” That is why the Natural Products Association (formerly NNFA) awarded the company its “Gold Seal of Approval.” In order to package safety and quality in every product, the company conducts rigorous internal audits, stability studies, equipment and process validation tests, environmental monitoring and water quality compliance studies.

From its humble beginnings, Greg Williford, vice president of sales and client services, who is also a 30-year veteran at the company, says Vita-Tech has been in continuous operation as well as consistently in the black. He says the company is looking to capture even more business by exploring markets outside do­mestic borders. “Approximately 70% of our sales comes from U.S. companies, while 30% comes from clients outside the county,” he said. “So right now we are really concentrating on building our international presence.”

To prepare themselves for new business and clients, Mr. Williford says Vita-Tech’s owner, Tom Tierney, has invested substantially in new equipment, processes and technologies. This investment has helped the company double its production capacity in just four years. Furthermore, the company has invested heavily in additional staff professionals to handle regulatory affairs and documentation, which are both crucial in serving overseas clients. And it won’t stop there, according to Mr. Williford, who said, “We are in the process of updating our analytical capabilities and acquiring even more equipment in the near future.”

Speaking to some of the challenges Vita-Tech currently faces, Mr. Williford focused on the complexities surrounding allergen labeling. “Making sure product labels conform to allergen statements involves a lot of work. The allergen rules are not so difficult to deal with when you are producing single-ingredient formulations, but multi-ingredient formulations are another story,” he said. “We handle a large amount of ingredients and products, which means documentation and analytical results can vary, especially with products containing 30 different ingredients.”

Vita-Tech’s vision “blends the best of nature with the best of science to produce supplements to support good health and healthy business.” For the future, Mr. Williford remains optimistic for both the industry and Vita-Tech. “We are headed in the right direction, making carefully calculated progress each year,” he said. “With new GMPs on the horizon and an attitude in the right place, we are looking at a bright future.”–R.W.

Vita-Tech
International
2832 Dow Avenue
Tustin CA, 92780
Telephone: 714-832-9700
Fax: 714-731-8482
E-mail: vitatech@vitatech.com
Website: www.vitatech.com