Beduco on course for further growth

Beduco was created in January 2002 by a merger between the two specialist bird food companies Beyers Granen NV and Dufky NV, both members of the Voeders Depré Group. The two original firms have an illustrious past. Beyers Granen NV was founded back in 1907, and acquired an international reputation for processing grain to produce high-quality bird food and as a manufacturer of pigeon feed. Dufky NV was set up in 1945 as a grain trading and milling business, developing over the years into a well-known producer of raw materials for animal fodder. Since the 1970s the company has been moving increasingly towards the pet segment and above all has become an established name among pigeon breeders with its "Elite" brand of pigeon feed.Beduco defines itself as a specialist in the development, production and sale of pet and animal food. The new company was launched four years ago at the existing site in Schoten, close to Antwerp, with a complement of 50 experienced staff. Its priority task was to draw on the extensive experience of two successful companies steeped in tradition and to streamline their existing ranges to create one uniform, logical and clearly structured complete range. To this end Beduco has developed strong family brands for the respective pet groups. "Fides" is a broad range of dog and cat food, while "Deli Nature" was conceived as a family brand for food for small animals and birds.To satisfy the demands of the market, Beduco has been expanding and modernising its range continuously since its inception. The product packaging has undergone a few changes too. The premium brand "Euro Premium", marketed under the "Fides" umbrella, has been on the market for seven years and enjoys a very good reputation in the speciality pet trade. This has gradually been extended to include nine products for dogs and since 2004 four cat products also. Plans are in hand to launch a new "health & care line" including natural treat products for dogs to coincide with Interzoo. In the small animal and bird segments, dedicated complete foods have been marketed since 2004 for all common types of pet, and a range of treats has also been developed for rodents. A similar range exists for ornamental birds. In addition to these products, sold through the speciality trade, Beduco has its own breeder range for all pet groups.Sales of Beduco's products last year realised € 25 mio. Pigeon and bird feed accounted for 50 per cent of this figure, with the remaining 50 per cent…