Rebecca Wright07.01.11
For the past 55 years, the Wright Group, Crowley, LA, has been providing innovative product solutions to a wide array of industries, from foods to dietary supplements and everything in between.
The company was formed by Salmon L. Wright, Jr., whose father, Salmon Lusk Wright, had provided the inspiration for the company as a successful rice farmer during the late 1800s, early 1900s. A year after its founding as Wright Laboratory, Salmon L. Wright III decided to join his father in the family business. Soon after, the company was renamed Wright Enrichment.
Initially, the company served the rice industry by providing rinse resistant grain premixes. The company then expanded, providing blended vitamin and mineral premixes for standardized products such as wheat flour, corn meal, bread and other applications. Wright Enrichment eventually expanded again, this time to custom formulation and blending of dry vitamin and mineral blends for fortification of a variety of international consumer food products.
The latest chapter in the company’s history occurred in January 2003 when S.L. “Sam” Wright, IV, assumed leadership of the company, and in January 2004 acquired the company from the Wright family. He has grown the company exponentially by expanding its domestic and international presence.
“Today,” said Sam Wright, “the Wright Group spends a lot of its time focused on innovation, flexibility and customer and market needs.”
In terms of its main product offerings, it supplies SuperCoat microencapsulated nutrients, SuperBlend custom nutrient premixes, SuperTab direct compression ingredients, NutraRice rinse proof rice premixes and WrightMade bakery ingredients. It also dabbles in probiotics and microencapsulated omega 3 ingredient solutions. Prior to shipment, the company claims all custom premixes and nutrient solutions are thoroughly tested by its in-house laboratory to ensure potency and performance. In addition, a Certificate of Analysis accompanies all orders.
Explaining why the Wright Group plays an important role in the nutraceuticals market, Mr. Wright said, “The nutraceuticals industry has evolved rapidly over the last 50 years to the point where foods and dietary supplements have converged into one meta-industry. The Wright Group has always been a pioneer in the field of custom nutrient premixes, nutraceutical ingredients and innovative delivery systems. It was a very natural progression based on market needs and our compatible skill set.”
Most recently, the Wright Group received FSSC 22000 certification at its Crowley, LA, facility, which, according to the company, demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the highest level of quality. It also has several other certifications such as ISO 22000 and Kosher and Halal certifications. In addition, it possesses a superior rating from the American Institute of Baking and features a separate allergen processing facility.
Touching on the state of the food and dietary supplement industries, Mr. Wright said both have been under significant pressure to improve quality, traceability and safety. “This of course is a result of several food safety issues with ingredients imported from China as well as recalls of retail products produced domestically,” Mr. Wright explained. “The government has passed more stringent product labeling and safety regulations to help combat these issues. In the end, the more quality driven firms will prosper and marginal producers of food and supplement products will be eliminated because of noncompliance.”
For the future, Mr. Wright is a firm believer that innovations in product forms and delivery systems will be a major driver of the nutraceuticals industry going forward. “Increased bioavailability, enhanced stability and solubility and the ability to incorporate a wider range of ingredients in challenging systems will be keys to future success,” he said. “The Wright Group is uniquely positioned to not only participate in this growth, but also to drive these innovations forward.”—R.W.
The Wright Group
6428 Airport Road
P.O. Box 821
Crowley, LA 70526
Telephone: 337-783-3096; 800-201-3096
Fax: 337-783-3802
E-mail: customerservice@wenrich.com
Website: www.thewrightgroup.net
The company was formed by Salmon L. Wright, Jr., whose father, Salmon Lusk Wright, had provided the inspiration for the company as a successful rice farmer during the late 1800s, early 1900s. A year after its founding as Wright Laboratory, Salmon L. Wright III decided to join his father in the family business. Soon after, the company was renamed Wright Enrichment.
Initially, the company served the rice industry by providing rinse resistant grain premixes. The company then expanded, providing blended vitamin and mineral premixes for standardized products such as wheat flour, corn meal, bread and other applications. Wright Enrichment eventually expanded again, this time to custom formulation and blending of dry vitamin and mineral blends for fortification of a variety of international consumer food products.
The latest chapter in the company’s history occurred in January 2003 when S.L. “Sam” Wright, IV, assumed leadership of the company, and in January 2004 acquired the company from the Wright family. He has grown the company exponentially by expanding its domestic and international presence.
“Today,” said Sam Wright, “the Wright Group spends a lot of its time focused on innovation, flexibility and customer and market needs.”
In terms of its main product offerings, it supplies SuperCoat microencapsulated nutrients, SuperBlend custom nutrient premixes, SuperTab direct compression ingredients, NutraRice rinse proof rice premixes and WrightMade bakery ingredients. It also dabbles in probiotics and microencapsulated omega 3 ingredient solutions. Prior to shipment, the company claims all custom premixes and nutrient solutions are thoroughly tested by its in-house laboratory to ensure potency and performance. In addition, a Certificate of Analysis accompanies all orders.
Explaining why the Wright Group plays an important role in the nutraceuticals market, Mr. Wright said, “The nutraceuticals industry has evolved rapidly over the last 50 years to the point where foods and dietary supplements have converged into one meta-industry. The Wright Group has always been a pioneer in the field of custom nutrient premixes, nutraceutical ingredients and innovative delivery systems. It was a very natural progression based on market needs and our compatible skill set.”
Most recently, the Wright Group received FSSC 22000 certification at its Crowley, LA, facility, which, according to the company, demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the highest level of quality. It also has several other certifications such as ISO 22000 and Kosher and Halal certifications. In addition, it possesses a superior rating from the American Institute of Baking and features a separate allergen processing facility.
Touching on the state of the food and dietary supplement industries, Mr. Wright said both have been under significant pressure to improve quality, traceability and safety. “This of course is a result of several food safety issues with ingredients imported from China as well as recalls of retail products produced domestically,” Mr. Wright explained. “The government has passed more stringent product labeling and safety regulations to help combat these issues. In the end, the more quality driven firms will prosper and marginal producers of food and supplement products will be eliminated because of noncompliance.”
For the future, Mr. Wright is a firm believer that innovations in product forms and delivery systems will be a major driver of the nutraceuticals industry going forward. “Increased bioavailability, enhanced stability and solubility and the ability to incorporate a wider range of ingredients in challenging systems will be keys to future success,” he said. “The Wright Group is uniquely positioned to not only participate in this growth, but also to drive these innovations forward.”—R.W.
The Wright Group
6428 Airport Road
P.O. Box 821
Crowley, LA 70526
Telephone: 337-783-3096; 800-201-3096
Fax: 337-783-3802
E-mail: customerservice@wenrich.com
Website: www.thewrightgroup.net
