Nick Smit grew up on a dairy and crop farm on the west coast of South Africa. He attended Stellenbosch University, from which he received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture. Smit then went on to work for Ralston Purina in Canada. He joined Alltech in 1991 to head up Alltech Canada while at the same time taking a lead role in developing Alltech’s ethanol division in North America.
In 2000, Smit returned to South Africa, where he became managing director for Alltech in Africa and the Middle East. In 2005, he moved to Alltech’s global headquarters in Kentucky, U.S., and became director for North America in addition to his role in Africa and the Middle East.
At the end of 2007, Smit returned to Stellenbosch, South Africa, to resume his duties as Alltech’s vice president of Africa.
