Usana president and chief executive officer Jim Brown (left) and chief commercial officer Brent Neidig (right) believe that the company’s robust product offerings and commitment to their core values has kept it at the top of their game.
Global powerhouse Usana driven by commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, wellness and community empowerment worldwide
IN HIS teenage years, Myron Wentz grappled with profound loss. At the age of 17, he lost his father to heart disease, and witnessed other family members battle cancer and heart conditions.
That propelled him to devote his life to medicine, making him a trailblazer in human cell culture and diagnosis of infectious diseases.
After founding Gull Laboratories in 1974, he recognised the glaring disparity between nutritional supplements and what he fed to cells in his laboratory.
This realisation sparked his creation of Usana, now one of the health and wellness industry's successful direct-selling companies worldwide.
Founded on science
As an internationally-recognised microbiologist and immunologist, Wentz was aware that people need nutrients that are delivered in the right form and amount.
That became the foundation for the company’s high-quality nutritional supplements, healthy weight management products, and healthy food and personal care offerings.
More than three decades later, the company has grown to establish its presence in 25 markets across the globe.
President and chief executive officer Jim Brown, explains that it is science and innovation that gives the company its edge.
“Dr Wentz's heart is always in science,” says Brown, who adds that their head office in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US, is the artery of the company.
Malaysian boxing champ Adli ‘Goldenboy’ Hafidz is one of 4,500 professional athletes from around the world who rely on Usana’s highly nutritious supplements to maintain their active lifestyles.
The state-of-the-art facility is home to a large team of researchers and scientists who hail from diverse expertise, ranging from biochemistry and cellular biology, to genetics, pharmacy and exercise science.
“In that facility, we can show our manufacturing.The people who come want to look at the science.
“They look at our labs and our machines to really get belief in the fact that what we say is in our products,is really there, and they can count on Usana always having the most premium products in the world” he says, adding that 75% of the products are manufactured at the Salt Lake City facility.
Brown points out that each product goes through six stages – research, formulation, clinical trials, manufacturing, top-notch quality control processes and third-party validation by distinguished institutions around the world, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America – which specialise in halal certifications.
Health is wealth
For the past three decades, the company has embraced a holistic approach to health. It has crafted cutting-edge, science-based health solutions that not only serve its customers but also benefit over 500,000 of its distributors, known as associates.
“Our focus is always having the highest premium science-based products with an opportunity for people as well, to grow financially,” says Brown of the company’s direct-selling business model.
By direct-selling, its associates get discounts off products, earn personal bonuses and commissions, in addition to trips and incentives.
Chief commercial officer, Brent Neidig says direct-selling is a compelling opportunity for people all over the world to not only to improve their health, but to also improve their financial situation.
“Direct-selling is you sharing what you love. And that's why it is powerful, because there's that connection. You would never sell something that would be harmful to your friend, right?”
The company leverages on its InCelligence cell-signalling technology across a range of products, including the award-winning Usana CellSentials.
Neidig, who has been with the company for 18 years, says he has seen how direct-selling high-quality health products has changed lives for the better.
“I've been able to travel to so many countries around the world and see firsthand how many people's lives have been touched and changed through this opportunity. Not only do you provide health and wealth, but you can also provide this wonderful community,” he adds.
Recipe for longevity
Neidig believes a big part of the rapidly growing community stems from the human element of love and care, ensuring family members and loved ones stay healthy, which entails proper supplementation.
“There’s this really strong desire to find the best supplement out there to support individuals and their efforts to keep their family members healthy,” he points out.
Over the decades the company has produced hundreds of products, many of which have won prestigious accolades in the US for outstanding quality and innovation.
The streak continues across the continents. In 2024, it was honoured at the Korean Medical Healthcare Awards for the sixth consecutive year in the multivitamin category.
In the same year, Euromonitor International – one of the world's leading independent strategic market research companies, named its probiotic supplement the top brand in Malaysia and Singapore.
The recent Usana Asia Pacific Convention held in Kuala Lumpur saw an attendance of over 8,000 associates from 11 different markets across the region.
“Our vision is to be the healthiest family on earth, and our mission is to empower the individual,” says Brown, who notes that the company’s core values – excellence, integrity, community and health have remained unchanged since the company’s inception in 1992.
Upholding these values, he says, is one of the reasons why Usana continues to grow in the health and wellness industry, even after three decades.
Neidig echoes Brown’s sentiments: “Not many companies make it 30 years and I think that's a testament to many things. First and foremost is the vision of the company to create health. Second, is the product and how effective the product is and how unique and differentiated it is. And I think third is the compellingness of our direct selling opportunity that we provide.”
Its employees and distributors, he adds, are deeply connected to the company's vision, driving their commitment, not only by personal health goals but also by a desire to positively impact their families and communities.
“We found that when customers take our product for a year, they typically never stop taking the product because it's made such a difference to their lives. And for that reason, that's helped our distributors to be able to grow very sustainable businesses,” says Neidig.
To find out more about Usana, click here.
