“With a passion for health and nutrition”
At Vitaphar, several employees give their best every day to produce top supplements. It is worth following in the footsteps of one of them every now and then and discovering who does what and why.
Evelyn Denutte studied pharmaceutical sciences and worked in a pharmacy for a long time. “I found it fascinating to help people with their medication and health, but I have also always been interested in the compositions of products and their effect on the human body. That, and the craving to create new, innovative and healthy food products ourselves, led to a career change a good year ago.”
Evelyn joined the family business, where she is part of the second generation. “That’s right. My brothers are also active in the company that my parents founded at the time. They mainly focused on the development of animal nutrition (feed). More recently, the ‘food’ component – the development of foods for people – has become more important. The fact that my youngest brother Nathan is also a pharmacist certainly plays a role in this. It has been an exciting and challenging transition, although it also feels great to continue the family tradition while exploring new avenues.”
New roads leading to new products…
“We try to find innovative solutions through R&D that meet current trends and consumer needs. It is challenging but satisfying to see how our efforts result in products that people really benefit from. That is why we always strive for a combination of ‘tasty’ and ‘contributing to a healthy lifestyle’. And innovation! Our gummies are a perfect example: not easy to produce but an attractive form that is popular and effective. That keeps it interesting. It is also fascinating to use my knowledge of pharmacy and chemistry in a different way to be applied in the food industry.”
Vitaphar is a specialist in ‘private label’ products, but do you also have a direct link with the user?
“Sanas is one reputed brand of sports nutrition and supplements. This way you see the result of a lot of diverse work coming directly to the end customer and that is nice. From the perspective of R&D and as a product developer, it is interesting that Sanas has a wide range, including high-quality, well-thought-out powders and quite unique drinkable shots: tasty and clear. The collagen shots are now finding their way into the sports world and the beauty sector without any problems.”
R&D may come with specific challenges?
“And with the satisfactions that come with it (laughs). Safe nutritional supplements that are innovative and always of high quality, it is a balance. Finding that is the biggest challenge. Fortunately, our R&D department is not an island: we have direct ties with production and the people who monitor quality. Linking new and interesting ideas to the strict regulations in our sector is not always easy. On the other hand, it is extra fun to see how the result of our efforts on the market makes a difference and contributes to healthier lives.”
How do you stay informed of the latest trends and technologies in your field?
“The R&D team has enough athletes to keep their finger on the pulse. They provide valuable feedback and are up to date with the latest trends. In any case, I am surrounded by great people, each with their own expertise. The dynamic is one of cooperation and support and the sum of all that creates a strong, experienced and innovative team, resulting in the supplements that match it.
It is no coincidence that Evelyn names the most important qualities for success in the sector as follows: “Innovation, attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills. In addition, teamwork and good communication skills are crucial, as collaboration is essential. Finally, a passion for health and nutrition is indispensable to make a real impact.
Many thanks!
