Takasago Flavors, Rockleigh, N.J., has completed renovation of its newly designed sensory facilities. Hiroki Take, president and chief operating officer of Takasago International Corp.; Haruo Nakanishi, senor vice president and general  manager of the Flavor Division at Takasago International Corp.; and Sean Traynor, president of Takasago International Corp. (USA) were on hand to celebrate the opening. “The investment in this facility demonstrates Takasago’s commitment toward consumer-guided creativity, and toward the goal of having the most innovative food and beverage products to present to our customers. These modern facilities will allow Takasago to be a preeminent flavor company in the North American market,” Take said at the event.

David Michael & Co., Philadelphia, has selected John Kling as production superintendent, Yuko Noda as processed flavors chemist, and Sonia Ortiz as flavor lab technician.

Internationally, Ixel Castillo joined the David Michael de Mexico team in quality control. Li Hong joined David Michael Beijing as a food technologist; while Lucy Tian was named manager of sales and marketing, Han Yajun was promoted to account manager, GuoYing Yang was named food technologist, and Li Ying was selected as quality control manager of the Beijing operations.

BASF, Florham Park, N.J., has appointed Niall McStay business director for its nutrition business serving customers in the food, beverage, animal feed and pet food industries in North America. McStay most recently served as business director, animal nutrition for BASF.