Can you briefly introduce yourself — your role at AmSpec, your background in fertilizers, and the main responsibilities you handle today?
I am Chris Zeringue of AmSpec, with 45+ years of Fertilizer industry experience. My responsibilities include being a Global Account Manager for fertilizer customers, but with my hands-on fertilizer experience, I also enjoy being involved in solving product issues.
From your perspective, what is the biggest challenge or trend shaping the fertilizer industry right now?
In my opinion, the biggest factors are sanctions, tariffs, consolidations, freight, and trade flows resulting from the aforementioned factors. We must remain flexible to adjust as needed and respond to whatever comes our way.
How does AmSpec bring value or stand out when it comes to fertilizers testing, inspection, or certification?
It all comes down to coverage and product knowledge, and you are only as good as a particular person is at a particular location. AmSpec Group continues to grow and meet the customers’ needs globally, that is why we decided to join this company.
What motivates you personally to work in the fertilizers sector?
It was my choice to move into fertilizer from petrochemicals many years ago. And I have always been extremely excited and interested in this side of the industry. It’s a new challenge every day, and those challenges motivate me.
What developments or innovations in fertilizers excite you most for the future?
The reporting program, which we have used and continue to use since merging with AmSpec, excites me because it is the most innovative in the industry, allowing us to adjust and adapt at any time.
What advice would you give to colleagues, clients, or the next generation of professionals entering the fertilizers industry? Learn from the ground up. Know the products from cradle to grave. Keep an open mind, because methods in one location may be very different from another, and handling methods may affect the final product..