Balchem teams up with New York Jets on VitaCholine ingredient

Balchem has announced a new partnership with the New York Jets that was unveiled as part of a strong earnings report.

The partnership was a first for both organizations. It was the first such tie-in featuring VitaCholine, while on the Jets’ side it was the first time the NFL team had entered into a relationship based on a nutritional ingredient.

The partnership was announced yesterday both via a press release and as a line item in Balchem’s first quarter 2024 earnings report.

Vibrant earnings report

Balchem, based in Montvale, New Jersey, reported $239.7 million in overall revenue, which was a 3.1% increase from the year before. The nutritional side of the business accounted for $152.7 million of that total, and sales in that sector were up more than 15% compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Those gains helped balance out steep drops in the company’s animal nutrition and specialty products divisions.

“This is a pivotal moment for both choline and particularly VitaCholine, as awareness of the many health benefits of the essential nutrient continues to expand,” said Dominik Mattern, VP of marketing, business development and science at Balchem. "Choline's crucial role in pregnancy has been well established by experts. Now, with emerging clinical evidence showcasing its positive effects on adult mental performance and physical wellness, it's an ideal time to embark on this dynamic partnership with the New York Jets."

Jeff Fernandez, VP of business development and ventures at the New York Jets said, “This exciting new partnership with VitaCholine is unlike any other brand collaboration that we have ever conducted. There is a renewed awareness of nutrition and self-care emerging all around us, and VitaCholine, along with its parent company Balchem, are committed to making the world a healthier place. It is rare to have the opportunity to align with such an innovative company.”

International reach

The Jets partnership could be particularly significant for Balchem as it seeks to expand the message for the ingredient into foreign markets. The NFL — which is actively trying to expand its worldwide fan base — has a program in which teams bid for exclusive rights to foreign markets. Starting in 2022, the Jets secured rights to the U.K. market, which is also by happy coincidence one of the easier overseas markets for U.S.-sourced supplement ingredients.