Simmons Animal Nutrition R&D Team Rises to Meet the Evolving Demands of the Pet Food Market

Siloam Springs, AR – The pet food industry is changing, and Simmons Animal Nutrition’s Research & Development (R&D) team is built to lead the way.

Mike Blanchard, VP of Research & Development, brings more than 40 years of industry experience to a market that continues to be more technically demanding. From rising consumer expectations to tighter regulatory scrutiny and increasingly precise brand specifications, the pressure on ingredient performance has never been higher.

“Pet food brands have more precise formulations and specs that demand more accuracy and predictability,” said Blanchard. “As both consumer and regulatory demands are increasing around quality, animal health, and human-inspired products, our R&D team exists to help customers navigate all of it with confidence.”

Rather than viewing these pressures as obstacles, our R&D team sees them as opportunities – to deliver premium products, provide deeper technical support, and strengthen the partnerships that define long-term success.

The team offers capabilities across analytical and functional testing, pilot plant processing support, and formulation co-development. Blanchard states, “The Simmons Animal Nutrition R&D team is not regarded as a back-office resource. We are designed to execute as a true technical partner that connects ingredient science to real-world finished product performance. Our goal is straightforward: help customers execute with clarity.”

Behind that mission is one of the most experienced R&D teams in the industry. The group includes multiple PhD-level scientists with deep specialties across Nutrition, Food Science, Meat Science, and Biology, with a combined team R&D experience of over 90 years.

At Simmons Animal Nutrition, R&D is considered a competitive advantage.