MSG Acquires Kay’s Processing, Inc.

Milk Specialties Global (MSG), an industry-leading manufacturer of nutritional ingredients for the health and wellness, performance nutrition and functional food industries, has acquired the 96,000-square-foot, gluten-free certified Kay’s Naturals Processing facility, located in Clara City, Minnesota, along with the Kay’s Naturals consumer brand.

Milk Specialties Global plans to expand operations at the Clara City facility to accommodate demand for extruded protein products, which are used for a wide variety of applications ranging from snacks to meat alternatives. To ensure business continuity, the facility’s current employees have received offers to remain with the facility, and additional jobs will be created in the future to support production expansions. “There is a lot of potential to ramp up production and increase capacity at our new Clara City facility, including more co-manufacturing,” says MSG Vice President of Extrusion Technology and Strategy Jim Fischer. “This acquisition will expand our extruded protein capabilities and help us better meet the needs of our customers.”

The Clara City plant is part of MSG’s long-term expansion strategy. The newly named Milk Specialties Global Clara City Facility is MSG’s 11th plant, and the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions and expansions that began in 2008. Most recently, in 2020 the company doubled its lactose production following expansion of its west coast processing facility in Visalia, CA. Earlier this year, MSG completed a capital improvement project at its Fond Du Lac, WI facility to begin production of lactoferrin, signaling the launch of its NutriPRO™ line of products focusing on the health benefits of whey protein. “MSG has one of the best protein supply chains in the world and great infrastructure for producing high-quality products,” says MSG CEO David Lenzmeier. “With each investment, we can offer more value for our customers.”

Media Note: For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 952-697-5221.

About Milk Specialties Global
Milk Specialties Global (MSG) is an industry-leading manufacturer of nutritional ingredients for the health and wellness, performance nutrition and functional food industries, with manufacturing facilities in WI, MN, NE, IL and CA. The core of MSG’s business is in high-percentage protein ingredients (whey protein concentrates, isolates and hydrolysates, as well as milk protein concentrates, isolates and micellar casein), lactose and permeate as well as value added ingredients. Additional information about Milk Specialties Global, including the benefits of its proprietary processing methods, can be found on www.milkspecialties.com.

Milk Specialties Debuts PROriz™ Brown Rice Protein and Showcases Protein Ingredient Innovations at Natural Products Expo West 2020

For 75 years, Milk Specialties Global has been delivering nutritional solutions to the world. At Natural Products Expo West 2020, we will be showcasing diverse proteins in an expanded variety of ready-to-drink (RTD), ready-to-mix (RTM), and baking premixes.

Join us March 5-7, 2020 at NPEW booth #4778 to experience quality protein ingredients and innovation, supporting performance nutrition and functional health.

Introducing PROriz™ wholesome brown rice protein.

Recognizing the consumer demand for plant-based proteins, Milk Specialties will debut PROriz™ brown rice protein at Expo West 2020.

Sourced and produced in the U.S.A. using hexane-free processing, PROriz™ provides all nine essential amino acids in a low grit, neutral tasting, free-flowing powder. Available in both organic and conventional formats, PROriz™ provides 80% pure protein, a superior taste profile vs. leading competitors, and flawless performance across a variety of applications.

“Milk Specialties continuously looks for ways to bring protein innovation and leadership to help our customers succeed in a competitive market. The demand for vegan protein is explosive, and brown rice protein brings an unparalleled solution for our customers to meet the nutritional and sensory demands of the performance nutrition consumer. PROriz™ is both sourced and produced the U.S.A., which is a clear differentiator to other brown rice proteins in the market” says Michael Hiron, Vice President of Sales.

Experience PROriz™ brown rice protein by visiting Milk Specialties booth #4778 to sample espresso chai and apple cinnamon ready-to-mix protein shakes, boasting 15g of vegan protein in an 8 oz serving.

Discover the convenience and versatility of ready-to-drink protein beverages

Consumers increasingly recognize the health benefits of dairy proteins and seek ways to incorporate protein into their everyday consumption habits. Ready-to-drink functional beverage sales continue to lead the growth of the sports nutrition category, with consumers responding to the increased variety of flavor, form and nutritional offerings.

PRObev™ clear whey protein isolate provides an exceptionally clean taste with low astringency that compliments fruity flavors and a variety of protein concentrations that perform well in both still and sparkling RTD formats.

Produced utilizing proprietary technology, PRObev™ is a heat-stable whey protein isolate that is clear in solution over a wide pH range. The versatility of PRObev™ helps our customers achieve on-trend, differentiated offerings while delivering the unrivaled amino acid profile of whey protein, high digestibility and superior sensory experience that today’s consumers demand.

A recent 3^rd party blind taste test conducted with a trained sensory panel highlighted PRObev™ to be significantly less astringent than its top global competitor. Sample our all-natural ginger-pear flavored RTD protein beverage containing 10 grams of crystal-clear whey protein isolate.

Additionally, for consumers looking for an on-the-go caffeine boost, the convenience of ready-to-drink iced coffees continues to drive conventional RTD new product introductions. Milk Specialties looks forward to showcasing an RTD Iced Latte beverage featuring 30 grams of organic milk protein concentrate in an 11 oz serving.

Sports Nutrition Innovation: Clear ready-to-mix high protein shakes

As showcased by recent sports nutrition industry innovation awards, PRObev™ has helped open a new category of ready-to-mix protein shakes that are clear rather than milky after mixing. The clear alternative provides a lighter option for the consumer, creating refreshing, fruit-focused flavors in RTM protein shakes that appeal to new as well as existing protein powder consumers.

Try a clear tropical punch RTM shake, delivering 20 grams of clear protein per serving.

Protein-fortified baking solutions

Protein-fortified baking premixes and cookies have disrupted otherwise stagnant categories, driving sales through health benefits and differentiated offerings. The baking premixes are formulated with dairy proteins to enhance the nutritional profile while delivering on taste, mouthfeel and shelf-life requirements. High protein baking premixes can be produced at the Milk Specialties manufacturing facility, meeting formulation specifications, and nutritional requirements.

Enjoy 10 grams of protein per 2 oz gluten-free Snickerdoodle flavored cookie, made with no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or preservatives.

Milk Specialties Global Launches VitalCholDX™

Leaders of science-based dairy nutrition debuts rumen-protected choline

Milk Specialties Global, the global leader in animal nutritional supplements and dairy protein ingredients, debuts VitalChol DX™, a new rumen-inert choline supplement designed to optimize cow health during the transition phase. VitalChol DX™ brings a new level of digestibility and stability to the supplement market by encapsulating the choline core with Duracoat Technology™. This proprietary coating is designed to provide the greatest level of durability in feed and mineral mixes and TMR while also delivering a source of energy in the form of mostly saturated fatty acids.

Available nationally, VitalChol DX™ is focused on supporting dairy producers as they take control of their transition cow program to maximize cow health and performance. Every transition cow is deficient in choline, as it is degraded by the rumen and cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities to meet her bodily requirements. When fed through the transition phase, choline has been shown to reduce incidence of metabolic disorders, increase milk and milk component yield, and increase colostrum quality.

“With all Milk Specialties animal nutrition supplements, we purposefully innovate in collaboration with leading animal nutrition researchers to bring the most effective products that maximize the health and production of animals,” said Milk Specialties VP of Specialty Sales, Paul Krueger. ” Choline supports transport of fat out of the liver during the transition period, as a properly functioning liver creates a more successful start to lactation, and reduces the incidences of several metabolic diseases that impact the transitioning dairy cow. Adding VitalChol DX™ to our line of bypass amino acids and nutrients helps Milk Specialties’ customers maximize their milk checks.”

VitalChol DX™ can be ordered through nutritionists and Milk Specialties Team Members. Visit https://live-milk-specialties.pantheonsite.io/animal-nutrition/products/vitalchol/ to learn more.