AHD International: The Distribution Leader

With nearly a decade of experience researching, importing and selling natural ingredients, AHD International, LLC, Atlanta, GA, is in a good position to handle an industry that continues to shift with each day. “From the jungles of Brazil to the beaches and deserts,” the company claims it can source everything from CoQ10 to hoodia to beta-glucan 80% (Kurinol). And its job has never been more im-portant given the events that have unfolded over the past year in relation to the supply chain.

AHD was initially known for two products, SAM-e and chondroitin. Today it supplies scores of ingredients to 750 customers around the globe. While a majority of its business comes from dietary supplement companies, its base of functional food customers continue to grow, especially with the launch of new ingredients like omega 3 cranberry oil (Luravida).

AHD’s new Luravida cranberry oil contains ALA omega 3 and is patent protected. The extraction of the oil from cranberry seeds produces a product that has no odor or stability issues, which are two problems that can be challenging when formulating with other sources of omega 3 fatty acids.

Another popular product for the company is fucoxanthin (Bellalean). Fucoxanthin is typically found in brown seaweed pigment and is hailed for its ability to beneficially impact weight loss.

As for AHD’s SAM-e ingredient, John Alkire, president and CEO, says it continues to experience steady growth. In fact, the company is currently involved with ongoing research on SAM-e at various institutions, such as Baylor University. Mr. Alkire hopes the new studies open up additional application areas for the ingredient.

To make things easier for its customers, the company breaks out its product offerings by category. The various platforms AHD serves include: Anti-Oxidants & Immune Enhancing Ingredients; Cardiovascular Health; Ingredients for Healthy Joints & Cartilage; Women’s Health; Mood & Emotional Health; Weight Loss; and All Natural Products.

Over the years, AHD has been recognized for its efforts. In fact, it made Dun & Bradstreet’s “Hot 100” list of America’s fastest-growing new entrepreneurial companies—an honor bestowed upon it twice in four years. D&B’s Hot 100 list recognizes those companies that have rocketed from $0 in sales to millions in five years or less. In the early years of the company, Mr. Alkire says the company experienced phenomenal growth rates. This growth, he said, was a result of the enormous popularity surrounding the ingredients AHD was selling at the time, as well the people behind the company.

AHD is made up of a unique team of individuals with extensive experience in all areas of the nutritional products in-dustry. The company claims its representatives are knowledgeable, skilled and enthusiastic when it comes to searching out the best materials. The company also says its representatives can help suggest ideas for keeping costs under control, and recommend some of the best testing, processing, and storage facilities for a customer’s special requirements.

Like many companies in the dietary supplement sector, AHD is feeling the impact of the new GMP regulations. From Mr. Alkire’s point of view, he sees a lot more money being spent on testing. “I think third party testing companies will benefit greatly from these new regulations,” he said. “Further, I believe the industry will become a lot smaller because of the new requirements. I know for AHD, so far we’ve probably spent $150,000 from a product testing perspective to make sure we are compliant.” The company hopes to be compliant with the new regulations by the first quarter of 2008.

Mr. Alkire also believes that research will become a necessary cost of doing business in the future. “The products that the industry will need in the next three to five years will have to be based on re-search proving efficacy,” he said. “This seems like the next logical stepping stone after ensuring safety. I think clinical trials will be the next big wave that separates one product from the next.”—R.W.

AHD International

3340 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850

Atlanta, GA 30326-1143
Telephone: 404-233-4022

Fax: 404-233-4041
E-mail: info@ahdintl.com

Website: www.ahdintl.com