Success story in the Czech Republic

Right from being a young boy, keeping and breeding pets was the main hobby of company founder Tomáš Karafiát. His mother showed immense patience and vision in managing to live with a puma kitten, bats hanging from the light fittings and a large number of rodents all over their apartment.
Later Tomáš Karafiát decided to concentrate on breeding animals as his occupation too. He left his job in the state sector and opened a pet accessories shop in Pisek in south Bohemia in 1989. It was one of the first private stores in the Czech Republic. The inflexibility of suppliers often resulted in supply problems for the store, which led to Karafiát expanding his activities by establishing a wholesale business in 1994. In 2001 the company moved to new, larger premises, allowing it to develop further.
Karafiát did not stop at the distribution of pet accessories and pet food, venturing also into the design and manufacture of products based on Tommi's own designs, patterns, styles and recipes. Now Tommi CZ is not only a wholesaler but also a manufacturer, importer and exporter of pet supplies. Enthusiasm and hard work have put the company Tommi CZ among the leaders of the breeding market in the Czech Republic. Tommi CZ Ltd employs 35 permanent staff, including 8 sales representatives.

Current activities of the company include:
Production of pet care products according to the company's own designs, recipes and patterns (Fresco pet food, Dr. Jag dog treats, Beni pet food, Catwill cat litter, shampoos and specific care products for dogs and cats under the Tommi cosmetics label, Cat's Dream Sleep & Play scratchers for cats and others). Products are made according to the standards for human consumption and they bear registered trademarks;Distribution of European brands of pet food.Supply of pet stores, garden centres, veterinary clinics and registered kennels. The company is an authorised distributor of pharmaceuticals and veterinary products.Tommi is also responsible for supplying pet food to the Czech armed forces as well as supplying and servicing aquarium equipment for professional fish breeding stations.
Exports account for a significant proportion of the turnover of the company. Tommi CZ currently exports to more than 30…