VBC appoints Karen Richards as plant manager in Iowa, US

Sumitomo Chemicals' US-based biopesticide and biorational products subsidiary Valent BioSciences Corporation (VBC) recently announced that Karen Richards has joined the company as plant manager for VBC’s state-of-the-art biorational manufacturing facility in Osage, Iowa,US. In her new role, Richards will assume responsibility for operations at the $150 million plant, scheduled to come online in the fall of 2014.

“Her wealth of experience in fermentation technology combined with a demonstrated, results-driven approach to leadership and operational excellence positions VBC well for continued growth in the future.”

Richards will report to Tom Green, Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing. “Karen comes to VBC with a history of success in several key areas,” Green said. “Her wealth of experience in fermentation technology combined with a demonstrated, results-driven approach to leadership and operational excellence positions VBC well for continued growth in the future.”

Prior to her role at VBC, Richards established a career in manufacturing that included direct responsibility for operations, quality control, engineering, maintenance, planning, buying, and adherence to Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines with one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. Karen earned her BS degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University and holds numerous certifications including Lean and Six Sigma.

“VBC’s investment in Osage is a testament to its commitment to its broad range of customers in agriculture, public health, and forestry around the world,” Richards said. “With accelerated growth forecast for its existing portfolio and several exciting new products in the pipeline, the need for superior manufacturing at VBC has never been greater. I am excited to join the organization and look forward to helping VBC build on its reputation for producing only the highest quality biorational products.”