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Interpet distributing Kaytee Interpet is to commence distribution in the UK and Ireland of small animal and bird products from American company Kaytee straight away. Interpet was acquired last year by the Central Garden & Pet Company, based in Wisconsin. JBL strengthens its French team It's just six months since JBL strengthened its sales team in France by bringing in François Marlot. Now a further field sales operative for regions in the south to south-west of France has been added with the arrival of Franck Vicente. Vicente is 32, a passionate aquarium enthusiast and already boasts ten years experience of field sales at Ferplast. Vicente has been available to deal with customers since mid-March.
Franck Vicente is the new addition to the French field sales team at JBL. Nestlé increases sales Nestlé Purina PetCare increased its global pet food sales in 2004 by 6.2 per cent to 9.934 bn SFR (6.458 bn €), according to the company's latest annual report. Cooperation between Muskator and Coppens The German company Muskator-Werke GmbH is expanding its range of fish feed for hobbyists and breeders through cooperation with Dutch firm Coppens International bv. Coppens exports its internationally successful branded products like "TroCo" and "KarpiCo" to over 20 countries. Muskator is starting off the cooperative relationship with ten varieties of "TroCo" trout feed and eleven varieties of "KarpiCo" carp feed. Rayovac acquires Tetra Rayovac Corp., a global consumer products company, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tetra Holding GmbH for a purchase price of approximately 415 mio €. This acquisition extends Rayovac's leading position in the rapidly growing North American speciality pet supplies category to a global presence. Tetra currently operates in over 90 countries worldwide and holds leading market positions in Germany, the United States, Japan and the UK. Tetra has approximately 700 employees and generates approximately 200 mio € in annual net sales. Principal selling shareholders are Triton, an international private equity firm, as well as AXA Private Equity and Tetra management. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is currently expected to occur prior to 30 June. Tetra has been sold to Rayovac for 415 mio €. Distribution centre in North America Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division has brought a central distribution centre for animal health products on stream on Bayer's site in Shawnee, Kansas. A total of 13 mio $ has been invested in the project. The building complex, which was constructed in a record time of just eight months on the site where Bayer's United States and Canada veterinary business is headquartered, will house some 380 staff working in production, research and development, sales and marketing. Sales in the North American veterinary drugs market are estimated at approximately 4.2 bn €. Bayer HealthCare AG is a leading manufacturer of animal health products and is the world's number four in the veterinary market. Dormice take on Crown Pet Foods A planned state-of-the-art factory for the production of dry pet food in Somerset has come up against objections from protestors who say it will destroy a nationally important wildlife site and make local roads a nightmare. Crown Pet Foods Ltd, which produces dry pet food for Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved, wants to move production from Lancashire to Somerset. Supplying the UK and exporting to Northern Europe, the proposed factory will produce 60,000 t of pet food per year. Despite some local objections, the development was given the go-ahead by Somerset District Council. Local protestors are now rallying around a rare colony of dormice that the developers plan to evict from the site. Debbie Mazur succeeds John Pitts After serving as coordinator and administrator for the American Pet Care Trust since 1996, John Pitts is handing over the administrative reins. John Pitts has received praise throughout the pet industry for his tireless work on behalf of animals. He wrote the curriculum for the acclaimed Animals in the Classroom programme and has conducted seminars across the USA for nearly 2,200 K-12 grade level teachers. In addition, he has overseen Pet Care Trust funding of other endeavours including animal education at children's museums, various research programmes and the Eden Alternative programme for seniors. Debbie Mazur is now the new administrative contact for the nationwide foundation whose numerous education programmes have furthered responsible pet care. Ferplast ventures further afield Ferplast, the Italian manufacturer of pet accessory products, is steadily increasing its activity outside Italy. Last year the company inaugurated a new production plant in Slovakia as well as new branches in Japan and China. This year Ferplast has opened a further Scandinavian branch in Malmö, Sweden, with a retail area of 3,300 m2. Modest growth at Wyevale Wyevale, the number one in the UK gardening market, increased its sales in fiscal 2004 by 1.3 per cent to 192.5 mio £ (276.7 mio €). Like-for-like growth was just 0.3 per cent. The company's pre-tax profits were 15.1 mio £ (21.7 mio €), equivalent to a fall of 26.3 per cent compared with the previous year. Following one store takeover, the garden centre chain had 123 stores in the UK at the end of the financial year. New APPMA members The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), the USA's lead- ing not-for-profit trade organisation of the pet product industry with over 800 companies, welcomes 80 new members whose applications were approved in February. Most of the new members are American and Canadian companies, although other companies joining APPMA include Addiction Foods and ADEC Aquarium Supplies from Singapore, Fuzz Yard and Yongze Co. from Australia, Glaztec International from New Zealand, Pets Remembered from England and Pro Pet Austria Heimtiernahrung from Austria. Puppyindex breeders' register filling fast More than 260 quality breeders have already signed up to the relaunched Puppyindex breeders' register, the UK's Pet Care Trust has announced. Puppyindex is a list of approved dog breeders from across the country which is distributed to pet shops, boarding kennels and dog groomers who are members of the Trust. Customers looking for a puppy can approach the Trust member and with the aid of the Puppyindex manual, a fully illustrated colour brochure featuring the popular breeds of dog, choose a breed of puppy suitable to their lifestyle. The Trust member can then put the customer in touch with an approved breeder. Germany: Decline in pet food sales Sales of dog and cat food in Germany declined last year by 3.7 per cent compared with 2003 to 1,903.3 bn €. This statistic emerged from current market data covering both the food retail trade (incl. Aldi) and the speciality pet product trade (incl. Fressnapf) that were released by Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Moist food products were hit particularly hard, with an above-average drop in sales of over 5 per cent. Sales of dry cat food grew by contrast by 2.7 per cent. Cat litter sales increased by 1.3 per cent to 184.1 mio €. According to IRI, this growth is attributable to an increase of 3.8 per cent in sales of non-clumping cat litter. The bird food sector (incl. bird sand) recorded an especially sharp drop of 9.4 per cent to 78.7 mio €, whereas sales of food for small animals increased by 2.8 per cent in 2004 to 126 mio €. With regard to distribution channels, traditional grocery stores with a retail area of less than 800 m2 lost out the most on sales in 2004, according to the study (-12.7 per cent), along with small pet businesses (-10.3 per cent). And even the hard discounters, who have been spoiled by success, were not spared, with a figure of minus 2.4 per cent. Apart from the soft discount stores with an increase of 0.1 per cent, the only other winners were the large-format pet product stores and DIY and garden stores, recording increases of between 1 and 2 per cent. Sales of pet food + Cat litter 2004: 2003 (not including fish food)(download .pdf-file)Sales of pet food by distribution channel 2004: 2003 (not including fish food) (download .pdf-file)Distribution channels for pet food by sales figures (in %) (download .pdf-file)A rather different picture emerges when it comes to tonnage. According to IRI, the overall volume of the pet market in 2004 was 1,468.8 mio t. This equates to a decline of 0.5 per cent compared with 2003. The fact that this value is significantly below that for the drop in sales is due to the fall in price levels. The rural trading businesses were the ones that suffered most here at minus 11.1 per cent. Small pet product stores (-8.9 per cent to 59.6 mio t) and traditional supermarkets up to a retail area of 799 m2 (-8.2 per cent to 83.4 mio t) also experienced a sharp decline. On the other hand, the soft discounters did well in terms of tonnage (+6 per cent to 159.8 mio t), as did the large pet stores (+3.8 per cent to 230.7 mio t), drugstores (+3.6 per cent to 156.4 mio t) and DIY and garden stores (+0.2 per cent to 68.7 mio t). Pet Care Trust calls for targeted enforcement The UK's Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is sticking to its plans calling for regular inspections with an obligatory veterinary presence, rather than basing inspections on a sensible risk assessment. This is demonstrated by the latest report from the government on the draft Animal Welfare Bill, the Pet Care Trust warns. "This is completely unnecessary," says Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trust. "Pet shops, kennels and catteries house healthy animals. Routine inspections are expensive and inconsistent in quality. A statutory vet inspection is pointless when many pet shops already have an excellent working relationship with their local vet." Instead of annual or 18-month licences, the Pet Care Trust supports enforcement by perpetual licence or registration. This registration would then be renewed whenever substantive changes occurred, for instance with a change of business ownership. As is the case already, pet shop managers would be required to show competence in pet store management by either possessing or working towards an appropriate qualification. The system would also be backed up by targeted enforcement, with inspections by local authorities at a frequency dictated by the nature of the business and its track record in working to high standards of animal welfare. Pet Brands on course for growth Pet accessory manufacturer Pet Brands has released turnover and profit figures for year-end 2004. Overall sales are up 20 per cent with overseas sales showing an impressive 83 per cent increase. Combined sales at home and abroad have produced a 32 per cent increase in pre-tax profits, which have risen to a record 771,070 £ (1,119,594 €). Pet Brands says that the upturn is the result among other things of the expansion of its range to 800 pet accessory lines and the acquisition of new customers. The company states that it is continuing its "growth policy" by way of increased investment in new innovative products. Licensed consumer brands have provided increased revenue for the company and investment in this sector will continue. To manage the current and future growth of the company, an additional 22,800 sq. ft. warehouse next to the existing premises in Rubery, Birmingham was acquired in January 2004. This increases warehousing in the UK by almost 200 per cent. In addition the company is undertaking a joint venture in China, opening a manufacturing facility in Shanghai later this year. Pet Brands is a family company incorporated by the Alton family in 1967 and now headed by managing director David Alton. The company is known for quality and innovation and has had a long association with the pet industry. A team of 25 including a sales team of 5 is based in Birmingham. Nguyen embarking on expansion The internationally active fish breeding company Nguyen International, based in Kingersheim, France, intends to double its current retail area of 1,000 m2 by this autumn. Director Gunter Nguyen expects the work to be complete by September. The dynamic company is expected to concentrate in future on the marine sphere, including seahorses and corals. New services for non-UK exhibitors to Glee The organisers of the Glee fair have introduced a new service for exhibitors from non-UK countries who seek extra assistance with the intricacies of exhibiting and with finding agents, distributors and freight companies for their products in the UK. Novalys, part of Glee's international agent network, is well known by Glee visitors and exhibitors in countries including France, Germany and Spain. For fourteen years the company has also been operating an international business development service for blue chip companies in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the UK and the USA. This development service is now available to all Glee exhibitors from countries outside the UK. The service for foreign exhibitors at Glee is to be expanded. The assistance is on two levels. The Export Programme (Level 1) offers a list of useful contacts, including freight companies, potential agents and distributors, key buyers and agencies that offer interpreting facilities, and an overview of the British market and information on competitors. The Export Plus Programme (Level 2) includes all the items listed in the Export Programme plus a match-making service with contacts created for each individual exhibitor, a mailshot to likely agents and distributors, a profile of the potential, interested UK partner provided to the Glee exhibitor, the provision of these profiles to each participating exhibitor, the opportunity of creating appointments at Glee and a follow-up during Glee itself. Vitakraft Food takes over Aqua Food The Vitakraft Group, based in Germany, is now expanding into Eastern Europe with the takeover of the established company Aqua Food in Budapest. A press release by Vitakraft states that this investment supports its aim of expanding to the important pet markets of the world, even in the difficult economic environment that exists. The new Hungarian Vitakraft subsidiary, which employs 68 people, will continue to be run by the existing management team. The company's chief mission will reportedly be the national implementation of the Vitakraft brand and range strategy in the growing Hungarian pet product market as well as the consolidation of Vitakraft's market share in Hungary. Aqua Food has been Vitakraft's distribution partner in Hungary since 1989 and is widely represented in both the grocery and speciality trade with a range of approximately 3,000 items in all pet product segments. Vitakraft (picture: the company's European headquarters) is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. European premiere of API French company Rena, which belongs to Mars Fishcare, unveiled products by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API) for the first time at the Expozoo show in Paris. API is the number one manufacturer of care products for ornamental fish in the USA and like Rena was taken over by Mars Fishcare two years ago. Its range comprises around 175 different products, a portion of which was on show at Expozoo. The API range for the French market was presented on the Rena stand in Paris. France is the first market in Europe into which these products are to be introduced. After France plans are in hand to extend the API range to Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden this year. Hamsters enjoy massive popularity in UK The UK's Pet Care Trust has welcomed the news that hamsters have been added for the first time to an official list of widely bought products. The Office of National Statistics in the UK added the hamster to the list of around 650 goods whose prices are monitored every month for its Consumer Price Index. It is the first time that any live animal has been included since the index began in 1947. "This news reflects the rising popularity of pets, and in particular 'small furries'," said Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trust. "Half our nation's households own one or more pets, and a hamster is ideal for those with space and time restrictions". But the Pet Care Trust, which publishes a series of advice leaflets for first-time pet owners, also advised potential buyers to think carefully before purchasing a pet. "It may be a good indicator of rising or falling inflation, but a hamster is not a loaf of bread," said Ms Nunn. "Buying any pet is a serious commitment, and consumers should be well aware of what they will be taking on. Our retailer members always advise responsibly on what pet suits any household." German-American partnership The American World Wide Pet Supply Association (WWPSA), industry association and organiser of the Superzoo and America's Family Pet Expo shows, and the German Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe e.V. (ZZF) along with its service subsidiary WZF GmbH will be working more closely together in future. The two associations have agreed to develop measures that should benefit members of the respective organisations and their customers. For example, they will inform one another of marketing possibilities for manufacturers in the respective countries as well as keeping up to date with important legislative changes and other influencing factors in the markets concerned. The ZZF also explained the European attitude to animal welfare and German animal welfare legislation to representatives of the WWPSA, telling them why some accessory products from the USA were poorly received in Europe. Members of the WWPSA committee spoke about the important topic of responsible pet ownership, which features in the association's educational work at its shows and its PR activities. The WWPSA also proposed that new pet products should be examined more closely with regard to features promoting animal welfare, and the ZZF declared its readiness to support the WWPSA in this regard. WZF GmbH and the WWPSA agreed to become advertising partners with reference to their economic activity and to support one another in the PR work for their respective shows. Both organisations also intend to try organising trips to the Interzoo and Superzoo shows for their own members. Iberzoo: new trade show in Spain The Iberzoo trade show (Feria Profesional del Animal de Compania) taking place from 29 September to 2 October in Zaragoza, Spain, is a new trade show for the pet product sector. According to the organiser, the show will cover an area of 16,000 m², of which 3,500 m² has already been booked up. The organiser has now made further information available online at www. iberzoo.com. Ferplast: new catalogue Italian company Ferplast has brought out a complete product catalogue for 2005 comprising over 300 pages. It contains the company's full range of products with the exception of the "Marex" line of aquatics products introduced last year, which will feature in a separate catalogue. One interesting feature of the big catalogue is the product descriptions in six languages (Italian, English, French, German, Dutch and Spanish). The relevant barcode is also included for all products. Vital Petfood Group strengthened after capital infusion The capital base of Vital Petfood Group A/S has been strengthened considerably by an infusion of new equity by the parent company, VPG Holding A/S. Following a succession of historical poor results Vital Petfood Group A/S had become undercapitalised, and in December 2004 the parent company decided to strengthen the capital base of its operational company substantially. Restructuring of the group has also been undertaken, with Unipet, the business entity focusing on articles for the pet trade, being transferred to the direct ownership of the holding company as a separate group entity. Seminar about freshwater fish diseases in Moscow Fishkeeping expert Dr. Gerald Bassleer launched the English edition of his book "The New Illustrated Color Guide of Freshwater Fish Diseases" at the second "Aquarium Scientific and Practical Conference" in Moscow. Following the conference, the Russian distribution partner of Dr. Bassleer and Aquarium Münster, Aqua Logo, held a seminar at which Dr. Bassleer spoke on diagnosis options with regard to diseases of ornamental fish. Addressing a large gathering of Russian specialists, Dr. Bassleer dealt in particular with diagnosis with the aid of his book in conjunction with the microscope of his distribution partner Aquarium Münster. The Aqua Logo seminar in Moscow attracted a lot of interest. Bioproducts launches new identity With effect from 1 February, Bioproducts Incorporated is reorganising its businesses under a new holding company, NutriScience Technologies. According to Bioproducts the reorganisation will promote an even stronger global entity focused on expanding products and services, enhancing research and development efforts, improving customer service and aligning the organisation with its strategic objectives. The Pet Food Flavors Group of Bioproducts has provided quality service and scientifically validated BioFlavor dog and cat food palatants for more than 30 years and will launch its new identity from Bioproducts to NuPetra LLC. "Our new identity better reflects our commitment in providing the best solutions for pet food palatability on a worldwide basis," says Gary Hayen, vice president and general manager of NuPetra LLC. NuPetra is one of the leading providers of dog and cat food palatants worldwide and with this change customers can expect to see it expand its product line and services to service the pet food industry better in the future.
Franck Vicente is the new addition to the French field sales team at JBL. Nestlé increases sales Nestlé Purina PetCare increased its global pet food sales in 2004 by 6.2 per cent to 9.934 bn SFR (6.458 bn €), according to the company's latest annual report. Cooperation between Muskator and Coppens The German company Muskator-Werke GmbH is expanding its range of fish feed for hobbyists and breeders through cooperation with Dutch firm Coppens International bv. Coppens exports its internationally successful branded products like "TroCo" and "KarpiCo" to over 20 countries. Muskator is starting off the cooperative relationship with ten varieties of "TroCo" trout feed and eleven varieties of "KarpiCo" carp feed. Rayovac acquires Tetra Rayovac Corp., a global consumer products company, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tetra Holding GmbH for a purchase price of approximately 415 mio €. This acquisition extends Rayovac's leading position in the rapidly growing North American speciality pet supplies category to a global presence. Tetra currently operates in over 90 countries worldwide and holds leading market positions in Germany, the United States, Japan and the UK. Tetra has approximately 700 employees and generates approximately 200 mio € in annual net sales. Principal selling shareholders are Triton, an international private equity firm, as well as AXA Private Equity and Tetra management. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is currently expected to occur prior to 30 June. Tetra has been sold to Rayovac for 415 mio €. Distribution centre in North America Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division has brought a central distribution centre for animal health products on stream on Bayer's site in Shawnee, Kansas. A total of 13 mio $ has been invested in the project. The building complex, which was constructed in a record time of just eight months on the site where Bayer's United States and Canada veterinary business is headquartered, will house some 380 staff working in production, research and development, sales and marketing. Sales in the North American veterinary drugs market are estimated at approximately 4.2 bn €. Bayer HealthCare AG is a leading manufacturer of animal health products and is the world's number four in the veterinary market. Dormice take on Crown Pet Foods A planned state-of-the-art factory for the production of dry pet food in Somerset has come up against objections from protestors who say it will destroy a nationally important wildlife site and make local roads a nightmare. Crown Pet Foods Ltd, which produces dry pet food for Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved, wants to move production from Lancashire to Somerset. Supplying the UK and exporting to Northern Europe, the proposed factory will produce 60,000 t of pet food per year. Despite some local objections, the development was given the go-ahead by Somerset District Council. Local protestors are now rallying around a rare colony of dormice that the developers plan to evict from the site. Debbie Mazur succeeds John Pitts After serving as coordinator and administrator for the American Pet Care Trust since 1996, John Pitts is handing over the administrative reins. John Pitts has received praise throughout the pet industry for his tireless work on behalf of animals. He wrote the curriculum for the acclaimed Animals in the Classroom programme and has conducted seminars across the USA for nearly 2,200 K-12 grade level teachers. In addition, he has overseen Pet Care Trust funding of other endeavours including animal education at children's museums, various research programmes and the Eden Alternative programme for seniors. Debbie Mazur is now the new administrative contact for the nationwide foundation whose numerous education programmes have furthered responsible pet care. Ferplast ventures further afield Ferplast, the Italian manufacturer of pet accessory products, is steadily increasing its activity outside Italy. Last year the company inaugurated a new production plant in Slovakia as well as new branches in Japan and China. This year Ferplast has opened a further Scandinavian branch in Malmö, Sweden, with a retail area of 3,300 m2. Modest growth at Wyevale Wyevale, the number one in the UK gardening market, increased its sales in fiscal 2004 by 1.3 per cent to 192.5 mio £ (276.7 mio €). Like-for-like growth was just 0.3 per cent. The company's pre-tax profits were 15.1 mio £ (21.7 mio €), equivalent to a fall of 26.3 per cent compared with the previous year. Following one store takeover, the garden centre chain had 123 stores in the UK at the end of the financial year. New APPMA members The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), the USA's lead- ing not-for-profit trade organisation of the pet product industry with over 800 companies, welcomes 80 new members whose applications were approved in February. Most of the new members are American and Canadian companies, although other companies joining APPMA include Addiction Foods and ADEC Aquarium Supplies from Singapore, Fuzz Yard and Yongze Co. from Australia, Glaztec International from New Zealand, Pets Remembered from England and Pro Pet Austria Heimtiernahrung from Austria. Puppyindex breeders' register filling fast More than 260 quality breeders have already signed up to the relaunched Puppyindex breeders' register, the UK's Pet Care Trust has announced. Puppyindex is a list of approved dog breeders from across the country which is distributed to pet shops, boarding kennels and dog groomers who are members of the Trust. Customers looking for a puppy can approach the Trust member and with the aid of the Puppyindex manual, a fully illustrated colour brochure featuring the popular breeds of dog, choose a breed of puppy suitable to their lifestyle. The Trust member can then put the customer in touch with an approved breeder. Germany: Decline in pet food sales Sales of dog and cat food in Germany declined last year by 3.7 per cent compared with 2003 to 1,903.3 bn €. This statistic emerged from current market data covering both the food retail trade (incl. Aldi) and the speciality pet product trade (incl. Fressnapf) that were released by Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Moist food products were hit particularly hard, with an above-average drop in sales of over 5 per cent. Sales of dry cat food grew by contrast by 2.7 per cent. Cat litter sales increased by 1.3 per cent to 184.1 mio €. According to IRI, this growth is attributable to an increase of 3.8 per cent in sales of non-clumping cat litter. The bird food sector (incl. bird sand) recorded an especially sharp drop of 9.4 per cent to 78.7 mio €, whereas sales of food for small animals increased by 2.8 per cent in 2004 to 126 mio €. With regard to distribution channels, traditional grocery stores with a retail area of less than 800 m2 lost out the most on sales in 2004, according to the study (-12.7 per cent), along with small pet businesses (-10.3 per cent). And even the hard discounters, who have been spoiled by success, were not spared, with a figure of minus 2.4 per cent. Apart from the soft discount stores with an increase of 0.1 per cent, the only other winners were the large-format pet product stores and DIY and garden stores, recording increases of between 1 and 2 per cent. Sales of pet food + Cat litter 2004: 2003 (not including fish food)(download .pdf-file)Sales of pet food by distribution channel 2004: 2003 (not including fish food) (download .pdf-file)Distribution channels for pet food by sales figures (in %) (download .pdf-file)A rather different picture emerges when it comes to tonnage. According to IRI, the overall volume of the pet market in 2004 was 1,468.8 mio t. This equates to a decline of 0.5 per cent compared with 2003. The fact that this value is significantly below that for the drop in sales is due to the fall in price levels. The rural trading businesses were the ones that suffered most here at minus 11.1 per cent. Small pet product stores (-8.9 per cent to 59.6 mio t) and traditional supermarkets up to a retail area of 799 m2 (-8.2 per cent to 83.4 mio t) also experienced a sharp decline. On the other hand, the soft discounters did well in terms of tonnage (+6 per cent to 159.8 mio t), as did the large pet stores (+3.8 per cent to 230.7 mio t), drugstores (+3.6 per cent to 156.4 mio t) and DIY and garden stores (+0.2 per cent to 68.7 mio t). Pet Care Trust calls for targeted enforcement The UK's Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is sticking to its plans calling for regular inspections with an obligatory veterinary presence, rather than basing inspections on a sensible risk assessment. This is demonstrated by the latest report from the government on the draft Animal Welfare Bill, the Pet Care Trust warns. "This is completely unnecessary," says Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trust. "Pet shops, kennels and catteries house healthy animals. Routine inspections are expensive and inconsistent in quality. A statutory vet inspection is pointless when many pet shops already have an excellent working relationship with their local vet." Instead of annual or 18-month licences, the Pet Care Trust supports enforcement by perpetual licence or registration. This registration would then be renewed whenever substantive changes occurred, for instance with a change of business ownership. As is the case already, pet shop managers would be required to show competence in pet store management by either possessing or working towards an appropriate qualification. The system would also be backed up by targeted enforcement, with inspections by local authorities at a frequency dictated by the nature of the business and its track record in working to high standards of animal welfare. Pet Brands on course for growth Pet accessory manufacturer Pet Brands has released turnover and profit figures for year-end 2004. Overall sales are up 20 per cent with overseas sales showing an impressive 83 per cent increase. Combined sales at home and abroad have produced a 32 per cent increase in pre-tax profits, which have risen to a record 771,070 £ (1,119,594 €). Pet Brands says that the upturn is the result among other things of the expansion of its range to 800 pet accessory lines and the acquisition of new customers. The company states that it is continuing its "growth policy" by way of increased investment in new innovative products. Licensed consumer brands have provided increased revenue for the company and investment in this sector will continue. To manage the current and future growth of the company, an additional 22,800 sq. ft. warehouse next to the existing premises in Rubery, Birmingham was acquired in January 2004. This increases warehousing in the UK by almost 200 per cent. In addition the company is undertaking a joint venture in China, opening a manufacturing facility in Shanghai later this year. Pet Brands is a family company incorporated by the Alton family in 1967 and now headed by managing director David Alton. The company is known for quality and innovation and has had a long association with the pet industry. A team of 25 including a sales team of 5 is based in Birmingham. Nguyen embarking on expansion The internationally active fish breeding company Nguyen International, based in Kingersheim, France, intends to double its current retail area of 1,000 m2 by this autumn. Director Gunter Nguyen expects the work to be complete by September. The dynamic company is expected to concentrate in future on the marine sphere, including seahorses and corals. New services for non-UK exhibitors to Glee The organisers of the Glee fair have introduced a new service for exhibitors from non-UK countries who seek extra assistance with the intricacies of exhibiting and with finding agents, distributors and freight companies for their products in the UK. Novalys, part of Glee's international agent network, is well known by Glee visitors and exhibitors in countries including France, Germany and Spain. For fourteen years the company has also been operating an international business development service for blue chip companies in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the UK and the USA. This development service is now available to all Glee exhibitors from countries outside the UK. The service for foreign exhibitors at Glee is to be expanded. The assistance is on two levels. The Export Programme (Level 1) offers a list of useful contacts, including freight companies, potential agents and distributors, key buyers and agencies that offer interpreting facilities, and an overview of the British market and information on competitors. The Export Plus Programme (Level 2) includes all the items listed in the Export Programme plus a match-making service with contacts created for each individual exhibitor, a mailshot to likely agents and distributors, a profile of the potential, interested UK partner provided to the Glee exhibitor, the provision of these profiles to each participating exhibitor, the opportunity of creating appointments at Glee and a follow-up during Glee itself. Vitakraft Food takes over Aqua Food The Vitakraft Group, based in Germany, is now expanding into Eastern Europe with the takeover of the established company Aqua Food in Budapest. A press release by Vitakraft states that this investment supports its aim of expanding to the important pet markets of the world, even in the difficult economic environment that exists. The new Hungarian Vitakraft subsidiary, which employs 68 people, will continue to be run by the existing management team. The company's chief mission will reportedly be the national implementation of the Vitakraft brand and range strategy in the growing Hungarian pet product market as well as the consolidation of Vitakraft's market share in Hungary. Aqua Food has been Vitakraft's distribution partner in Hungary since 1989 and is widely represented in both the grocery and speciality trade with a range of approximately 3,000 items in all pet product segments. Vitakraft (picture: the company's European headquarters) is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. European premiere of API French company Rena, which belongs to Mars Fishcare, unveiled products by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API) for the first time at the Expozoo show in Paris. API is the number one manufacturer of care products for ornamental fish in the USA and like Rena was taken over by Mars Fishcare two years ago. Its range comprises around 175 different products, a portion of which was on show at Expozoo. The API range for the French market was presented on the Rena stand in Paris. France is the first market in Europe into which these products are to be introduced. After France plans are in hand to extend the API range to Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden this year. Hamsters enjoy massive popularity in UK The UK's Pet Care Trust has welcomed the news that hamsters have been added for the first time to an official list of widely bought products. The Office of National Statistics in the UK added the hamster to the list of around 650 goods whose prices are monitored every month for its Consumer Price Index. It is the first time that any live animal has been included since the index began in 1947. "This news reflects the rising popularity of pets, and in particular 'small furries'," said Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trust. "Half our nation's households own one or more pets, and a hamster is ideal for those with space and time restrictions". But the Pet Care Trust, which publishes a series of advice leaflets for first-time pet owners, also advised potential buyers to think carefully before purchasing a pet. "It may be a good indicator of rising or falling inflation, but a hamster is not a loaf of bread," said Ms Nunn. "Buying any pet is a serious commitment, and consumers should be well aware of what they will be taking on. Our retailer members always advise responsibly on what pet suits any household." German-American partnership The American World Wide Pet Supply Association (WWPSA), industry association and organiser of the Superzoo and America's Family Pet Expo shows, and the German Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe e.V. (ZZF) along with its service subsidiary WZF GmbH will be working more closely together in future. The two associations have agreed to develop measures that should benefit members of the respective organisations and their customers. For example, they will inform one another of marketing possibilities for manufacturers in the respective countries as well as keeping up to date with important legislative changes and other influencing factors in the markets concerned. The ZZF also explained the European attitude to animal welfare and German animal welfare legislation to representatives of the WWPSA, telling them why some accessory products from the USA were poorly received in Europe. Members of the WWPSA committee spoke about the important topic of responsible pet ownership, which features in the association's educational work at its shows and its PR activities. The WWPSA also proposed that new pet products should be examined more closely with regard to features promoting animal welfare, and the ZZF declared its readiness to support the WWPSA in this regard. WZF GmbH and the WWPSA agreed to become advertising partners with reference to their economic activity and to support one another in the PR work for their respective shows. Both organisations also intend to try organising trips to the Interzoo and Superzoo shows for their own members. Iberzoo: new trade show in Spain The Iberzoo trade show (Feria Profesional del Animal de Compania) taking place from 29 September to 2 October in Zaragoza, Spain, is a new trade show for the pet product sector. According to the organiser, the show will cover an area of 16,000 m², of which 3,500 m² has already been booked up. The organiser has now made further information available online at www. iberzoo.com. Ferplast: new catalogue Italian company Ferplast has brought out a complete product catalogue for 2005 comprising over 300 pages. It contains the company's full range of products with the exception of the "Marex" line of aquatics products introduced last year, which will feature in a separate catalogue. One interesting feature of the big catalogue is the product descriptions in six languages (Italian, English, French, German, Dutch and Spanish). The relevant barcode is also included for all products. Vital Petfood Group strengthened after capital infusion The capital base of Vital Petfood Group A/S has been strengthened considerably by an infusion of new equity by the parent company, VPG Holding A/S. Following a succession of historical poor results Vital Petfood Group A/S had become undercapitalised, and in December 2004 the parent company decided to strengthen the capital base of its operational company substantially. Restructuring of the group has also been undertaken, with Unipet, the business entity focusing on articles for the pet trade, being transferred to the direct ownership of the holding company as a separate group entity. Seminar about freshwater fish diseases in Moscow Fishkeeping expert Dr. Gerald Bassleer launched the English edition of his book "The New Illustrated Color Guide of Freshwater Fish Diseases" at the second "Aquarium Scientific and Practical Conference" in Moscow. Following the conference, the Russian distribution partner of Dr. Bassleer and Aquarium Münster, Aqua Logo, held a seminar at which Dr. Bassleer spoke on diagnosis options with regard to diseases of ornamental fish. Addressing a large gathering of Russian specialists, Dr. Bassleer dealt in particular with diagnosis with the aid of his book in conjunction with the microscope of his distribution partner Aquarium Münster. The Aqua Logo seminar in Moscow attracted a lot of interest. Bioproducts launches new identity With effect from 1 February, Bioproducts Incorporated is reorganising its businesses under a new holding company, NutriScience Technologies. According to Bioproducts the reorganisation will promote an even stronger global entity focused on expanding products and services, enhancing research and development efforts, improving customer service and aligning the organisation with its strategic objectives. The Pet Food Flavors Group of Bioproducts has provided quality service and scientifically validated BioFlavor dog and cat food palatants for more than 30 years and will launch its new identity from Bioproducts to NuPetra LLC. "Our new identity better reflects our commitment in providing the best solutions for pet food palatability on a worldwide basis," says Gary Hayen, vice president and general manager of NuPetra LLC. NuPetra is one of the leading providers of dog and cat food palatants worldwide and with this change customers can expect to see it expand its product line and services to service the pet food industry better in the future.
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