Ebos Group posts 12% higher profits for first half

Health care and animal care products company Ebos Group posted a 12% increase in first-half profit, due to growth in both divisions and lower finance costs.

The company said it expects similar growth in the second half, which would make full-year earnings more than US$92 million.
The company will pay a first-half dividend of 22 cents per share, up 7.3% from a year earlier. Ebos shares rose 4.17% to $10 after the first-half results were released, which showed sales and earnings beat some estimates.
The company's animal care unit saw an 8% rise in revenue to $191 million and a 7.5% gain in earnings before interest and tax to $15 million.

Mogiana Alimentos, Affinity Pet Care announce partnership

Mogiana Alimentos and Spanish company Affinity Pet Care have joined together in a 50/50 partnership, according to the companies. The transaction included all petfood categories as well as the Campinas and Bastos plants. All brands of Mogiana Alimentos currently marketed in Brazil have been maintained. 

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Affinity, in its international expansion plan, was looking for petfood market opportunities in Brazil. Mogiana Alimentos' main competitive advantages that were decisive for this joint venture with Affinity were the full product portfolio and the company distribution capacity in Brazil. Mogiana Alimentos is a national company in the sector, which is fully professionalized and has empowered corporate governance practices.
In the current organizational chart, Affinity is part of the Mogiana Alimentos board of directors. This joint venture has strengthened both companies, mainly to compete more vigorously in a market that is increasingly competitive. There are plans for the business expansion and growth in the petfood and pet care Brazilian markets. Those are they key factors that will bring several opportunities to the employees, consumers and business partners of Mogiana Alimentos, said the company.

HH Backer announces changes to Total Pet Expo Spring

H.H. Backer Associates announced significant changes to its biennial spring show, Backer's Total Pet Expo Spring, to be held April 9-11, 2014, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
The changes are designed to increase buyer attendance, highlight innovative new exhibitors, and focus on education and networking. New attractions and a new graphic look, as well as educational program designed to keep buyers in the exhibit hall are among the features. 
The spring show will include a new 280-square-meter retail pet store serving as a resource center on store layout, merchandising, staff training and POS options. Experts will also be on hand to provide advice and tips on staff training, and buyers can interact with live animals. An Idea Wall provides a forum for sharing and reading retail tips. 
Another change is the Smart Zone, a new exhibit hall with education stations to keep buyers on the show floor longer. It will include tracks on technology, business management, marketing/merchandising, aquatics and animal health/wellness. Industry experts will offer free advice for small groups of attendees on topics ranging from social media marketing strategies to merchandising trends. 
A full schedule of more than 50 sessions will be available online beginning in February 2014.

Zuke's launches online training program for sales partners

Zuke's Pet Performance Nutrition is launching a new online training program for its sales partners that will educate sales reps and retail sales associates and help encourage better product sell-through.
Through this training and incentive program, 3point5.com, Zuke's will provide pet product distributors and retailers with brand and product knowledge needed to provide customers with product recommendations and earn customer loyalty, increasing the probability of repeat purchases. The online training platform provides brands a means to create entertaining, sales-oriented presentations for their sales partners. It is accessible from a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Once sales professionals complete the training, they will not only have better information to make customer recommendations, but they will also have earned Zuke's gear, including a Polo shirt, a wristband, a pen and a button. They also become eligible for discounts on Zuke's products for personal use. 

Pet products distributor Pet Food Experts buys Zeus & Co.

East Coast wholesale pet products distributor Pet Food Experts has reportedly purchased Zeus & Co., allowing the family owned company to expand into the Midwest petfood market.
"We are excited about bringing our family-style personal relationships to Midwest retailers," said Michael Baker, president of Pet Food Experts.
With its purchase, Pet Food Experts will grow to cover 21 USA states from warehouses in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Zeus' distribution center in Des Plaines, Illinois, USA, will serve independent retailers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri, USA.
Owner of Zeus, David Levy, will stay with Pet Food Experts as president of the new Zeus unit. 

Global Pet Expo 2014 dates announced

The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association have announced dates of the 2014 Global Pet Expo. This pet industry show will be held March 12-14, 2014, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA. 
The show, which will mark its 10th anniversary in 2014, will feature the latest pet products on the market from more than 900 companies around the world, including 150 first-time exhibitors. 
In addition to more than 3,000 product launches, the show will have special sections: International Pavilion, Natural Pet, Boutique, Everything Aquatic and What's New. The New Products Showcase will give exhibitors the chance to highlight their newest product lines, and winners of the "Best in Show" awards will also be announced. 

APPA to form Pet Leadership Council

The American Pet Products Association's board of directors voted unanimously to form the Pet Leadership Council. The Pet Leadership Council will include about 20 company leaders from all segments of the pet industry to focus on strengthening and consolidating key objectives and initiatives in the pet industry.
The council will consist of mass retailers, pet retailers, non-food manufacturers, petfood and treat manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, trade associations, industry organizations and live animal suppliers, in an effort to consolidate the involvement and funding for key initiatives needed in order to promote, develop and maintain the advancement of the pet industry. The Pet Leadership Council will also foster research, development and training, promote a better understanding of the various segments of the industry, cooperatively address concerns of mutual interest, maintain a liaison between government and the industry, and provide joint publicity and public relations for the pet industry.
“This is a tremendous advancement for the industry and has taken a lot of work to get here,” said APPA President and CEO Bob Vetere. “This truly can take everything to the next level but to meet its full potential, it is going to require strong participation, input, time and energy from those leaders with the experience, knowledge and ability to continue to move this industry forward. I am confident they will step up to the challenge.”
Vetere will oversee the new Council as well as serve as a non-voting member of APPA’s board of directors. APPA's board of directors will now consist of nine voting members including: new chairman, Jim Heim of Central Garden & Pet; secretary/treasurer, Robert Merar of General Pet Supply; Michael Farmer of GlobalOne Pet Products; Steve Ware of Ware Manufacturing; Brent Weinmann of Vitakraft Sunseed; Roger Morgan of PawTree LLC; Rodolfo Spielmann of Nutro; and the addition of two new members.

New consumer guide compares online pet product retailers

Knoji, a provider of consumer reviews and information, released a new consumer guide comparing online pet product retailers.
The report compares retailers such as PetSmart, Petco and PetCareRx to help consumers choose the store that's right for them.
According to the report, PetSmart has an easy return policy, while consumers can earn PetCareRX points for discounts on different products; consumers can earn money back on purchases with Petco's Pals rewards and Petco helps companion animals by donating nearly US$15 million per year to the Petco Foundation.   
The report's complete findings can be read online.

Zoomark International confirms 60 percent of registrants from abroad

Zoomark International, an exhibition of pet products and accessories, has announced that registration so far indicates that more than 60 percent of companies registered are coming from abroad.
Registrants for the pet products show, which takes place in Italy, are predominately from Great Britain, the US, Canada, Brazil and China. The show also says it has seen an increase in companies registering to exhibit individually after previously exhibiting at a group area.
Zoomark International will take place May 9-12, in Bologna, Italy. 

Pet product retailer Petsense to open 20 new stores in 2013

Pet product retailer Petsense has expanded its chain of stores, targeted at pet owners in US rural markets, by opening 18 new stores in 2012.
Petsense now operates a total of 69 pet product retail stores in 21 different US states but also plans to expand in 2013. The company says 2013 will be its largest year of store growth since being founded seven years ago, with plans to open at least 20 new stores.

Pet supplies manufacturer seeks innovative pet product submissions

Fetch... for pets!, manufacturer of innovative pet supplies, is launching a new division within the company.
The "Fetch... for Innovation" division focuses on finding new inventions by recruiting individuals with unique concepts and products for pets. If you have an innovative pet product or concept, email Innovate@fetch4pets.com or call +1.212.244.2456, ext. 234. 

Brazilian Association of Pet Products Industry attends Zoosphere 2012

The Brazilian Association of Pet Products Industry, Abinpet, recently hosted a Brazilian pavilion at Zoosphere 2012, the Russian trade show of products and services for pets, which was held in October 11-13.
Three Abinpet-associated companies took part in the Brazilian pavilion at Zoosphere: Brazilian Pet Foods, Eccopetz and Guabi Group, all of which exhibited new products for dogs and cats, including petfood and natural pet treats. Aimed at stimulating Brazilian exports, the Abinpet-associated companies networked with 250 other companies from countries such as Belarus, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, China, Thailand and Ukraine.
“A pavilion made of Brazilian companies reinforces the potential of Brazil in the pet sector. The Brazilian space called the attention of the public and let importers confident for future businesses. Companies' credibility increases due to the support of Abinpet and Apex-Brazil,” said Robson Fonseca, international trade manager at Guabi.

Mexico Pet Expo draws more than 1,300 visitors from 10 countries

NürnbergMesse North America announced that its first Mexico Pet Expo & Conference was a success with 123 exhibitors from eight countries and a total of 1,352 visitors from 10 countries.
Mexico Pet Expo also cooperates with the Mexican association of food manufacturers, La Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Alimentos A.C., which organized the “2nd Mexican Forum on Pet Food” that was held in conjunction with the show and aimed at petfood manufacturers. The event also had a special forum, "Area de Emprendedores," which offered a platform for business development and networking with smaller companies.
A survey of Mexico Pet Expo visitors revealed that the visitors were satisfied with the exhibitors’ offerings on more than 1,500 square meters of space and with the opportunities for acquiring information and making contacts.
The next Mexico Pet Expo & Conference will take place June 26-28, 2013, and will again be held at the Expo Guadalajara Convention Center in Guadalajara, Mexico.

RECALL: Petco recalls pet food bowls for potential contamination

Pet product retailer Petco is recalling certain stainless steel petfood bowls sold at its store due to the potential that the bowls may contain Cobalt-60, a radioactive material commonly used in industrial gauging equipment and other uses.
Petco says it doesn't know how the radioactive material got into the pet food bowls, but believes that it may have come from scrap metal used by foreign suppliers that had Cobalt-60 accidentally mixed in, and which was found to emit low levels of radiation. The issue was detected by Customs and Border Protection agents during a routine import screening of one of two containers of the product that entered the US in late May and early June.
Recalled stainless steel bowls with the following SKU and product description include:
•SKU 1047493 - PETC-3.75C DEEP TWO TONE NOTIP 9.25-inch diameter; 3.75-cup capacity
•SKU 1386956 - PETC-3.5C NO-TIP SS HAMMRD BWL 9-inch diameter; 3.5-cup capacity
•SKU 1047477 - PETC-7C TWO TONE NONTIP BOWL 9-inch diameter; 7-cup capacity
Consumers who purchased one of the recalled petfood bowls between May 31 and June 20 should return it to Petco for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Petco customer service at +1.877.738.6742.

Archer Growth invests in Australian pet products, services provider

Australia’s Archer Growth has made the first investment from its new AUD300 million (US$307 million) fund as part of a new partnership deal with pet products and services provider Best Friends Pet Supercentre.
Best Friends Pet Supercentre's network currently includes 11 stores that offer grooming services, puppy preschools and pet hospitals in Australia, and Archer Growth says it hopes to quadruple that number. US-based Brynwood Partners owns pet boarding, training and related services provider Best Friends Pet Care Inc.

Interzoo successful for Brazilian pet product companies

A number of Brazilian companies participated in Interzoo, the international trade show of accessories and supplies for the pet market, held May 17-20 in Germany. 
A Brazilian pavilion was organized by the Brazilian Association of Industry of Products for Pets, Abinpet, through Pet Brazil Project, a partnership of Abinpet with the Brazilian Agency for Promotion of Exports and Investments. During the event, Brazilian companies Guabi, Alcon, Nutrire, Brazilian Pet Foods, Syntec, Hercosul, Pet Society, Fami and Eccopetz presented their line of products and searched for new distributors and buyers from more than 41 countries, such as Colombia, India, Holland, Germany, Turkey and the United States. Abinpet expects that in the next 12 months, contracts signed will generate an income of around US$4 million.

Interzoo 2012 pet product show expected to set record

Interzoo 2012 is expected to set a new record, with more than 1,500 pet product exhibitors from 53 countries attending the pet industry show in May.
More than 100,000-square-meters across 11 exhibition halls in Nuremburg, Germany, will be covered with exhibitions displaying the latest pet products, May 17-20. 
Currently, 79 percent of registered exhibitors are from abroad, with Germany, China, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands, the USA, France, Belgium, Spain and Poland having the largest display areas. New countries exhibiting in 2012 include Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Romania and Tunisia. 

Nestle Purina's global pet product sales increase 7.7 percent first-quarter 2012

Pet food manufacturer Nestlé Purina Pet Care increased its first-quarter fiscal 2012 global pet product sales by 7.7 percent to CHF 2.545 billion (US$2.8 billion).

According to the pet food company's financial statement, Purina experienced double-digit growth in North and South America during the quarter thanks to strong performances in the Friskies, Purina ONE Beyond and Beneful Baked Delights brands. Purina says it also saw growth in its pet care business in Europe. 

Brazilian Association of the Pet Product Industry releases safety manual

The Brazilian Association of the Pet Product Industry recently published its Pet Food Brasil Manual with the goal of constantly improving petfood production.   
The new publication is an update of the current PIQ PET Manual, which was developed six years ago by the entity's technical groups of professionals from associated companies and universities.

The goal of the publication is to provide the public, academic and private institutions of the pet product sector with a reference for food quality and safety. The manual also has information on technical and quality standards of raw material, nutritional parameters, applicable analytical methodologies and the ideal production conditions in order to ensure safe petfood for domestic and international markets. 

Global Pet Expo 2012 featured 3,000 new pet products, broke attendance records

The 2012 Global Pet Expo saw a record number of attendees with more than 5,000 buyers.

The Global Pet Expo 2012 saw record-breaking buyer and media attendance and total pet product exhibitor booths sold, say sponsors American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributers Association.

The 2012 show, held in Orlando, Florida, USA, February 29-March 2, featured 5,011 buyers in attendance, more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 896 exhibitors and 2,487 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers reported in Global Pet Expo’s eight-year history. International attendance accounted for nearly 25 percent of the total buyer attendance rate, while 145 international companies exhibited at the show.

"The buyers, exhibitors and media who participated in this year’s show all contributed to making this our largest event to date,” said Andrew Darmohraj, American Pet Products Association senior vice president. “The overall success of this year’s show sent a clear message that the pet industry is stronger than ever, and continues to attract entrepreneurs and innovators offering pet owners more products than ever for their pets. As owners continue to demonstrate that they value pets as members of the family, demand for the latest and greatest products is at an all time high.”  
Special sections at the show included the “International Pavilion,” “Natural Pet,” “Boutique,” “Everything Aquatic” and “What’s New!” Additionally, "TODAY" show correspondent and animal advocate, Jill Rappaport, was honored with Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” for her commitment to the industry.  
The American Pet Products Association also announced its pet industry spending for 2011, which grew by 5.3 percent from US$43.35 billion in 2010 to US$50.96 billion in 2011. The American Pet Products Association projected a steady 3.8 percent growth rate through 2012, bringing overall pet spending to nearly US$53 billion.
The 2013 Global Pet Expo will take place February 20–22, 2013, in Orlando, Florida, USA.