IQI Demonstrates Growth Ambitions With New Sales Director Europe

IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients is thrilled to announce the appointment of Arjan van Waes as its new sales director Europe. Having joined IQI on June the 1st, Arjan will be responsible for managing and growing IQI’s business in Europe. His appointment demonstrates IQI’s ambition to expand the company’s strong position in Europe.

Arjan brings substantial experience in the (pet) food industry to IQI. After a few years with VION Food as product manager for the retail branch, and in operational roles in livestock slaughter, deboning, and meat processing plants, Arjan moved to Sonac, a Darling Ingredients International brand. There, he established the business unit Sonac Functional Products to commercialize Sonac’s food-grade proteins and fats for the meat and savory products sector.  

Extensive and relevant skillset

In his previous role as director at Sonac, Arjan displayed his extensive and relevant skillset: he expanded the product portfolio, initiated marketing and sales campaigns, coordinated R&D activities, and grew the worldwide sales network as well as the commercial and R&D team – including setting up an own application center for technical customer support. By leading the synergistic combination of sales, marketing, and R&D activities, with a focus on new products and global customer development, he established a fast-growing business unit.

Proving and promoting sustainability

As the new sales director Europe at IQI, Arjan will focus on growing the company’s business through consultative selling, aimed at both established and new customers. A key element will be setting up and nurturing partnerships with customers to support them in their quest to produce healthy, highly palatable, safe, and sustainable pet food at competitive costs. Important drivers toward this goal are the favorable sustainable aspects of IQI’s pet food ingredients. Among others, the life cycle assessments we conduct on our ingredients will help customers to improve the carbon footprint of their products.

New challenges, opportunities, and memories

“It is with a mix of excitement for the future and nostalgia that I have decided to leave Sonac Functional Products after eleven incredible years. I simply had to say ‘yes’ to this great opportunity that came my way,” says Arjan when asked about his job transfer. “Passionate as I am about the (pet) food industry, I am looking forward to new challenges, new opportunities, and new memorable moments at IQI.”

Developing innovative concepts

With OSI as the new owner of IQI, ample opportunities will arise to help pet food producers with innovative concepts bring their pet food to the next level. Thanks to OSI’s vertically integrated supply chain of beef and poultry products, IQI can tap into a pool of own raw materials and products – becoming part of a network of more than 50 OSI production sites in 20 countries, with hundreds of suppliers and customers. A few concepts, like bacon fat, have already been introduced. More innovative concepts will emerge soon.

Let’s get in touch

Thanks to OSI’s eminently high quality standards, pet food producers like you can be guaranteed of the same high standards for OSI/IQI ingredients, as well as high standards in terms of sustainability and animal welfare. We would be happy to visit you to further introduce ourselves or welcome you at one of our facilities to explore what these opportunities can do for you as a pet food producer and how we can assist you in achieving your ambitions. If you are interested in talking to me about these or other related topics, please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

About IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients

IQI Trusted Petfood Ingredients is a global provider of premium-claim ingredients to the top brands in the pet food industry. We work in close partnership with our customers and suppliers worldwide, matching supply and demand. Our dedicated experts help to apply pet food ingredients in the most efficient and effective way, using co-creation for product optimization and innovation.