The most enthusiastic supporters of American Nutrition, Inc. are millions of well-fed dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. The Ogden, Utah based firm produces more than 300,000 tons of pet foods and snacks annually.
The company was founded in 1972 as Animal Nutrition, Inc. by Jack Behnken, a Pennsylvania native and Penn State Engineering graduate. Jack had previously worked for the Kellogg company and had a wealth of knowledge in cereal manufacturing systems. Mel Carey, a Michigan native and former production manager for the Keebler Company, joined Jack to provide production and packaging expertise. Jack provided the plant engineering expertise and began making regional sales calls while Mel provided production and packaging oversight as well as the quality assurance and formulation functions.
In 1977, the company expanded with the purchase of an adjacent property and the name was changed to American Nutrition, Inc. to better express the firm's broadening markets and growth plans.
To date, American Nutrition has added four additional manufacturing facilities employing over 250 individuals throughout the country with plans for continued growth.
American Nutrition produces a full line of dry, baked and wet pet foods and treats and offers contract manufacturing, private label manufacturing and many packaging alternatives.