Despite starting out 10 years ago as an ingredients sourcing operation, for the past three the company has been gradually shifting its focus, culminating this year with its restructuring and re-naming.
Larry Kolb, president of US operations, said that the change came about because the company realised through its sourcing activities just how important it is to control all aspects of production.
Amongst the branded ingredients it now offers is Peak ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which supports improvement of circulation, energy and overall well-being. Last year TSI won an award for clinical research on this ingredient at a conference organized by the Scripps Center last year, which was aimed to raise awareness and the credibility of herbal and natural remedies among doctors.
It also offers Promilin fenugreek extract, PureFlex chondriotin sulphate and glucosamine, Ostivone ipriflavone, and Ginkgo 24/6/5 extract of ginko biloba.
TSI Health Science's facility is located in Jiangyian, China, two and a half hours from its Shanghai headquarters, and the company is involved in collaborations with science organisations in China for the development of new ingredients.
Kolb told NutraIngredients-USA.com in an interview earlier this year that the company has a number of new ingredients in the pipeline, and expects to introduce two within the next two years. It is particularly keen on opportunities in sports nutrition and antioxidant channels.
However he added that the company is not totally closing its doors to sourcing entirely, but is "just a lot more selective these days".
He said that the focus is on in-house materials, but that the company remains open to "opportunities that make sense and justify the effort". It has a stringent checklist based around efficacy, safety and clinical trials.
Such solid scientific emphasis and adherence to good manufacturing practices positions the company as a supplier to high-end consumer branded supplements.
It also means TSI's ingredients are suitable for distribution in markets with a strict regulatory climate, in particular Europe, where the 2002 dietary supplements directive came into force last year. A UK manager has recently been appointed in London, with the brief to expand operations in Europe, and managers are also installed in Japan and Australia.