Nutrition industry recognizes Covance and BCU for innovative partnership

The collaborative work between Covance Inc. and Battle Creek Unlimited, the economic development organization for Battle Creek, is getting notice for the way it is shaping the city.

 

At the 2013 Nutraceutical Business & Technology Awards that recently took place in Geneva, Switzerland, the Covance and BCU were given the Best New Partnership, Merger, or Acquisition Award.

President and CEO from Battle Creek Unlimited Karl Dehn says the award "positions Battle Creek as a global force in food sciences."

 

Through the partnership the two have promoted excellence in food science, worked to shape the next generation of food scientists and helped transform Battle Creek into a food science, innovation and growth-oriented community.  

The partnership began in 2010. Covance at that time opened a 42,000-square-foot laboratory in Battle Creek, which helped to stimulate the city’s revitalization efforts.  

 

The city is home to three international cereal and food product manufacturers. Since 2008, downtown Battle Creek has seen major improvements thanks to private investments of approximately $87 million--including $15 million by Covance--and more than 1,000 new jobs, including more than 60 research scientists, technicians and management in the food science or research concentrations serving the industry. 

 

“This award is so important because it also shows what can be done by forming strong partnerships between companies like Covance and the community," says Brad Riemenapp, VP & General Manager of Nutritional Chemistry and Food Safety for Covance. "Finding ways to help the community – through education, internships, fellowships and job creation – while providing operational and service excellence to our clients is a win-win for Covance, and something we will continue to support in the future.”