Nathan “Nat” L. Skop, passed away on April 24, 2015, at the age of 89. Mr. Skop led Solgar’s production facility, Oxford Laboratories, for 30 years.

He joined Solgar Vitamins in 1972 to initiate and lead its original in-house manufacturing facility, Oxford Laboratories, in Guttenberg, NJ. Oxford produced virtually all of Solgar’s product requirements from solid dosage forms, to liquids and powders. 

Before there was DSHEA, and the call for tougher quality standards in the natural products industry, there was Nat Skop. He began his career in the pharmaceuticals industry, and was the first to bring analytical standards and testing protocols to Solgar that far exceeded the industry norm and existing regulatory requirements. 

He was a pioneer in the effort to improve the quality of dietary supplements and became known as “the man who enforces the tough standards at Solgar.” So synonymous was he to the company’s quality efforts that he was featured in its trade advertising campaign in the 1980s with the headline: “Mr. Skop is actually a very nice man. Just don’t mess with his vitamins.”

Under his leadership, the small factory became well known for enormous output and top quality. He leaves a strong legacy to the industry and his family. His two sons, Mitch and Bruce, followed him in the industry. Mitch Skop is senior director, new product development, Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc.; Bruce Skop is senior vice president, brand & business development, Windmill Vitamins.