Choosing a supplier isn’t all that different from dating—it’s not just about looks (or price). It’s about finding a dependable partner who checks all the boxes and shows up when it counts. Sure, the flashy newcomer with low prices might catch your eye—but will they be there when things get tough?
We’ve kissed a few frogs and learned the hard way what really matters in a supplier: reliability, transparency, and alignment on what counts. Here’s how we choose supplier partners—and how you can avoid a bad breakup before it starts.
Diversified Sourcing: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
There are plenty of fish in the sea when it comes to amino acid and feed ingredient suppliers. But choosing the right one means looking beyond just price.
It’s about knowing what each supplier brings to the table. How do they handle unexpected issues? Have they proven they can deliver when things get messy?
Ask the hard questions—just like you would on a first date:
• How do you handle complaints or product quality issues?
• What happens if tariffs change?
• Can you guarantee supply during a shortage?
The reality is, most amino acids and vitamins are produced overseas—primarily in China. That means long, complicated supply chains, where bumps in the road are bound to happen.
That’s why we’ve made it a priority to diversify. Over the past few months, we’ve expanded our supplier network to include a mix of domestic manufacturers, distributors, and direct importers. This lets us spread risk, maintain pricing visibility, and build flexibility into our supply chain—so when something unexpected happens, we can pivot without disrupting your business.
Competitive Bidding: More Than Just a Pretty Price
When it comes to our VTM premixes, we’re selective. Each quarter, we send bids to a small group of trusted suppliers—not every manufacturer on the market. Why? Because we only work with partners who’ve consistently shown they can meet our specs and deliver on time.
A low price might catch your attention, but it’s the follow-through that counts. That’s why we also require monthly testing on our VTMs—to make sure the product being delivered matches exactly what we asked for.
Biosecurity Standards
Just like you expect your date to shower, we expect our suppliers to meet our biosecurity standards. All vitamins and amino acids from ASF-positive countries must be held for 78 days post-manufacture—a research-backed window which has shown to inactivate 99.99% of viruses. We verify compliance through auditing certificates of analysis (COAs) that accompanies each product.
While the 78-day hold is effective, adding heat accelerates virus inactivation and provides an extra layer of protection. We’re currently working with all suppliers to assess their ability to implement, monitor, and share temperature logs confirming storage at 68°F for at least 30 days. Our goal is for all suppliers to meet this enhanced standard by early next year. In addition, we also conduct regular mill and warehouse audits to ensure proper handling and storage practices are followed.
Finding “The One”
The last six months reminded us how unpredictable the supply chain can be. When choosing a supplier, keep these things in mind:
• If it feels too good to be true, trust your gut—and call us! Even if we don’t win your business, we’re here to help.
• Ask where ingredients are sourced and what biosecurity steps they follow.
• Be patient. Global supply chains are complex and finding the right partners will help you navigate them.
Hopefully, this will help you find suppliers that will be by your side “for better or for worse”!
