Nearly 2 000 visitors

"This year's show attracted 1 993 visitors, which is a record in the show's 11-year history," stated the closing report of the organisers. "This compares with last year's visitor figure of 1 801 for the March date and represents an 11 per cent increase year on year."
More than 40 first-time exhibitors had an impact on Pats, bringing a large number of foreign brands to the show. The international spread of visitors also increased significantly. Some of the exhibitors told PET worldwide that they had made new export contacts, especially in France, Spain and Greece.

German manufacturer Josera exhibited at Pats for the first time, together with new export partner Simon Freear, who is entirely new to the pet supplies sector. Simon Freear and his wife Viki only started out last September and are focusing on the "Made in Germany" label. They took pride in reporting that food brands containing insect protein in particular are attracting considerable attention in England.
It wasn't the first visit of the Dutch supplier Farm Food to Pats, but it was the first with its new partner SU-Bridge Pet Supplies. Ian Manning is the second generation of the family to head this long-established wholesale company, which offers countless familiar brands and supplies its customers across England with its own fleet of trucks.

One of the newest companies appearing at Pats was Yora Petfoods. It was only established in January and company founder Tom Neish offers a pet food developed in-house that includes insect protein. The food is manufactured in the United Kingdom, with only the insect protein being imported from Poland.Pats organiser Gordon Thomas said after the show: "We're so pleased the move of dates to a Sunday and Monday in February has been a huge success. It's great to hear that exhibitors and visitors have experienced a brilliant show."
The next Pats takes place on 22 and 23 September in Telford.