Interzoo Highlights

   Successful InterzooAt Interzoo 2004 Ferplast not only introduced some interesting new accessories for pets, in line with its normal practice, but also a completely new range of products called Marex. The range comprises aquariums and aquarium products that stand out thanks to the high quality of their engineering, design and technology. A completely new automatic retractable lead called Flippy Controller was premiered. Thanks to its patented device, Flippy Controller will surely turn the market upside down, since it solves all the problems of traditional automatic leads. Interzoo 2004 has been another success for the leading Italian company in the pet market.  Colours of Competence"Colours of Competence" was the motto on the Vitakraft stand at Interzoo that prompted an enthusiastic response from visitors. Vitakraft highlights included new sticks, now presented in an attractive foil, innovative products that complete the successful "Beef Stick" range as well as the "Vita Sport" range of horse snacks that met with a high level of demand from all trading partners.  Supreme SuccessVisitors from over 40 countries loved Supreme's bright, eye-catching mix of unique products and characters, including "Russel Rabbit", "Gerty Guinea Pig" and "Harry Hamster". Supreme's brand new starter kits proved especially popular with visitors as the ideal product for new pet-owners, helping to make 2004 Supreme's most successful Interzoo ever.  Bach Flowers for animalsAppearing at Interzoo for the first time were seven blends of Bach Flower Essences for pets. The family firm Supra-Cell has specialized in the supply of homeopathic remedies for pets for a number of years. In 2003 the company brought into its range Bach Flower blends, which help to alleviate emotional imbalances, according to the system of therapy developed by Dr. Edward Bach. The seven different remedies are used for example to treat minor accidents, to increase a pet's responsiveness to training, for pets that are aggressive or anxious, to treat fatigue and sorrow or as a detox treatment. The product launch in Germany surpassed all expectations, and the manufacturer now wishes to find out whether there is a similar level of interest abroad.  Bach Flowers for animalsAppearing at Interzoo for the first time were seven blends of Bach Flower Essences for pets. The family firm Supra-Cell has specialized in the supply of homeopathic remedies for pets for a number of years. In 2003 the company brought into its range Bach Flower blends, which help to alleviate emotional imbalances, according to the system of therapy developed by Dr. Edward Bach. The seven different remedies are used for example to treat minor accidents, to increase a pet's responsiveness to training, for pets that are aggressive or anxious, to treat fatigue and sorrow or as a detox treatment. The product launch in Germany surpassed all expectations, and the manufacturer now wishes to find out whether there is a similar level of interest abroad.  Wromak AquariumsWromak is a producer of aquariums, cover lights and backgrounds. The company's range also includes cabinets, and it has been well known in the Polish market and a number of foreign markets for 21 years. Wromak aquariums would be interested in working with other companies.  All under one roofInterpet has now introduced the new T5 compact lighting unit. A manufacturer that has been established for over 50 years, Interpet produces "Pond Balance", an effective blanket weed controller, the new improved "Triplus" aquarium lighting and the "Mikki" pet grooming range. "Blagdon" pond pumps and filters, "Red Rum" horse care products and "Petlove" pet toys are just a few of its huge range of products. Interpet books are also a must for pet-lovers  A dazzling performanceThe Flexi stand once again made an impression this year, with the company's new products attracting a lot of attention:- "Flexi Comfort Compact", the sturdy belt lead made to stand up to the toughest challenges;- The new, well-organized range - Flexi now offers two leads - of the "Classic Series" and the " Soft Grip Comfort Series";- The new variable panel display system, which guarantees a substantial increase in sales for the speciality trade. The free display provides a good overview of Flexi product ranges.  Nutro Success at InterzooInterzoo 2004 was extremely successful for Nutro, its exclusive importer in Germany Inter-Pet AG and more than 30 worldwide importers who attended. Nutro's President, Vice President International and Director of Operations from the USA also attended the show. The number of new and existing clients that visited Nutro's stand more than doubled compared with the previous event and included several new importers who signed distribution agreements. Nutro promotion opportunities were greatly appreciated, especially by a large number of German clients. A complete range of products was on display, including all Nutro super premium dog foods, the Complete Care cat line, Nutro biscuits, treats, and canned and pouch products. Special emphasis was placed on Nutro's number one US market share products, "Choice Adult Lamb & Rice" and Nutro "Choice Adult Large Breed". Interzoo provided Nutro with an exciting venue in which to develop its international business further.  An extended rangeAquael also released new products this year. Growing demand again provided proof that the company has moved in the right direction - canister filters with UV-finish and the exclusive DeLuxe aquarium line together with reliable heaters meet the high expectations of the market. The gardening line has been expanded with the addition of pond filters that are fully compatible with both available versions of pumps and UV sterilisers.Innovations and new brands Affinity Petcare Deutschland GmbH attended the fair for the first time and the company presented itself successfully to interested visitors. In addition to the elaborate relaunch of the "premium"product line, Affinity Petcare introduced its premium brands Brekkies Excel for cats and Brekkies Excel for dogs. Visitors to the fair welcomed the company's innovative and attractive promotions.Agro PolskaAgro Polska was founded in 1991 in Krakow, a town in Southern Poland. The company specializes in the production of cages and wooden bird and rodent boxes and hatches. Its production facilities are capable of a daily output of 1,800 cages, its workshops cover over 10,000 m² and its warehouse occupies an area of 2,000 m². "We mainly export our products to Germany where we are known as a reliable supplier to the largest wholesale group in the country. Based on our strategic central position in Europe, however, we are able to export our products across the entire European mainland".  Most successful InterzooThe upmarket range of canine fashion accessories "Pet threads" and "Weathermaster" was very well received at the fair. Other innovations included "Pawtectors" all season/ all terrain waterproof dog bootees, "Peepees-n-more" disposable dog nappies and "Poopiks", lavender-scented disposable purple pick-up mittens. The response to these products was absolutely amazing!  Market leader sets the paceTetra once again lived up to its reputation as market leader with its product innovations and an eye-catching display. New products in the range that are available immediately are the crisp food types "TetraMin Crisps" and "TetraPro", available in "Pro", "Colour" and "Vegetable". All these products have a specially high nutritional value because they are manufactured using the unique Tetra low temperature process. The new patented "Tetra AquaSafe with BioExtract" was also introduced and received very positively by the industry. The focal point of the 340 m² exhibition stand was the huge S-shaped aquarium, which contained nearly 30,000 litres of water and over 4,000 fish.  Think globally, act locallyIams found the perfect forum for its motto at Interzoo. The fair is becoming an increasingly international event. World-leading companies presented their products and brands to international visitors and discussed their future-oriented strategies with the German industry sector.  Target: CommunicationThe Italian company Prodac International has expanded its range of existing products like fish food, treatments and salts for aquariums and completed the new look of its now extremely eye-catching packaging. The instruction sheets have been completely revised and provide the consumer not only with detailed instructions on how to use the product but also with interesting information about its ingredients. The instructions were translated into 15 languages for the benefit of Prodac's wide customer base in more than 30 countries.  Good resultsBiopet s.r.l. chose Interzoo 2004 to present its products to the European and international markets and obtained magnificent results both in terms of visual impact and interest. The number of visitors and the frequency of their visits to the stand have kept our staff very busy during the whole exhibition period. Hygiene and care products and the innovative cat scratching product "Scratch and Stretch", which is the basic model for a new line of relaxation products, were of particular interest to suppliers from over 30 different countries. Veterinary surgeons and researchers, on the other hand, approved of the new project of a speciality line of therapeutic products. The general policy of the company also played a major role; it combines non-profit making partnerships with profitable activities and this has contributed largely to its success. The company has a strong commitment to animal welfare and this is demonstrated by natural and environmentally compatible production processes.      Latest information on the industryTrade information for the retail and manufacturing segments formed the focus of Dähne Verlag's presentation at Interzoo. Alongside the familiar pet trade magazine and the PET buyers' guide, the directory "The Specialist PET trade in Germany, Austria, Benelux and Switzerland", containing the data and addresses of head offices and 3,300 associated stores, and the PET in Europe magazine for the international pet product market, published in English, attracted particular attention. The consumer magazines "Aquaristik aktuell" and "Gartenteich" were also represented, with special issues on topical aspects of these hobbies. The range of books on display featured a wide selection of practical and in-depth literature on fish-keeping and ponds.  Innovations produce a full rangeSera brought a large number of new products and an entirely new stand concept to Interzoo. Its new external aquarium filters, pond pumps and pressure filters, for example, were very well received by the numerous domestic and foreign customers and visitors to the 350 m² stand. Sera's new online laboratory also attracted lively interest, while visitors enthused about the cocktails on offer at the stand-up bar. All in all, the verdict at the show was that Sera with its complete range of products for aquariums, terrariums and ponds is the ideal partner for the speciality retail sector.  Field sales solutionThe mobile field sales solution "WWSmobile" was the focus of interest for visitors to the DeDeNet stand. "WWSmobile" optimizes the flow of information between company and field sales staff, enabling the latter to operate more effectively by being able to act and react more quickly when out and about visiting customers. In addition to the transmission of digital orders, price data, delivery capacity and customer history can be interrogated quickly and easily. Optimizing the mode of operation of the field sales team yields perceptible cost savings as well as increasing efficiency thanks to an optimized incoming order system, resulting from the elimination of inaccurate or handwritten paper-based systems.  New conceptEuropet was represented at the Interzoo 2004 with a new exhibition concept which attracted a remarkable attention from national and international visitors at the fair. The concentration on the narrower range of goods shown in rooms especially designed for this purpose, allowed the customers a good view of the novelties of the innovative Europet products. The "Jumbo"-cat toilet or cat toilet house, the "Tecno-Feed"-automatic pet-feeder for cats and dogs with "Call-O-Matic"-function as well as the "Puppy-Tray" are worth a mention here The top hit is the "Puppy-Set - the first toilet for puppies and smaller dog breeds which will be offered together with "Dogs-Best"-litter produced by the Rettenmeier Corporation and will be sold as a basic set along with further europet accessories exclusively from europet.