NEWS AND NOTES

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Molly O’Brien, mobrien@wfyoung.com

December 20, 2013

W. F. Young, Inc., makers of Absorbine® horse care products, is very pleased to announce the appointment of Christian (Chris) Jacobi of Scottsdale, AZ to the position of General Manager, Equine Division, effective January 6, 2014. In this newly-created role, Chris will be responsible for overseeing the worldwide operations of W. F. Young’s equine division, including sales and marketing.

Chris has 30 years of experience in equine and companion animal sales, marketing and operations, both domestically and internationally. A native of Cologne, Germany, Chris graduated from Bayer Business School and spent the next 25 years in roles of increasing responsibility with the company, including positions in the U. S. and Canada as well as Germany. He left Bayer to become President, Horse Products Division, at Farnam, a position he held for close to 10 years. Most recently Chris has been Partner at CBJ Equine, LLC, providing strategic business consulting services to the equine industry. He is also a lifelong equestrian, actively involved in the breeding, training and showing of Dutch Warmblood jumpers.

Tyler Young, W. F. Young CEO and the fourth generation of this family-owned business, said, “We are thrilled to have someone of Chris’s caliber join our team. His combination of knowledge, professionalism and hands-on experience in the equine world will help us reach the next levels with our horse care products.”

Echoing Tyler’s sentiments, Adam Raczkowski, W. F. Young President and COO, stated, “Chris’s broad experience in all facets of the equine industry will help us achieve our company’s very aggressive growth goals going forward. His leadership position with our equine division will enable us to take full advantage of the vast range of opportunities we see in the marketplace.”

“The Absorbine name is already recognized world-wide for their high-quality products,” Chris said. “I’m very excited to have this opportunity to take a strategic role in broadening and strengthening the existing UltraShield®, ShowSheen®, Hooflex® and Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment master brands, and leading the sales and marketing efforts in bringing more Absorbine products to horse owners around the world.”

Chris will be based in W. F. Young’s corporate headquarters in East Longmeadow, MA; he, his family and horses will be relocating to the western Massachusetts area.

About W. F. Young / Absorbine

Founded in 1892 by Wilbur Fenelon Young and his wife, Mary Ida, W. F. Young, Inc. has manufactured and distributed quality health care products for over 120 years. The company is recognized as a worldwide leader in innovative, specialized animal healthcare brands – including Absorbine Veterinary Liniment, UltraShield fly control, ShowSheen grooming products and Hooflex hoof care – that improve wellness and enhance the quality and enjoyment of life for people and their animals. For more information, visit www.absorbine.com.