Start-up Pipeline Pet Products appoints CEO

Start-up company Pipeline Pet Products has announced that Brad Hatt, most recently director of Big Heart Pet Brands Canadian operation, has accepted the company position of CEO. Pipeline Pet Products serves as an umbrella company to service multiple brands across all channels of trade. Pipeline's suite of brands will service the pet specialty, big box, mass and grocery channels and everything in between.

While at Big Heart Brands, Hatt oversaw a US$100 million business for more than 10 years. "With over 25 years in the pet sector under my belt, I was at a point in my career where I wanted to do something more entrepreneurial," said Hatt. "The opportunity to join Pipeline Pet Products is really the perfect fit for me at this stage of my life. It will allow me to leverage my experience in managing multiple brands and also take Pipeline Pet Products' multiple offerings to the next level." There are currently six brands under the Pipeline umbrella: Green Bark Gummies, Droolers, Fruit Nibblers, Organicfuls, Hearty Bites and a new pet food line, Holistic Essentials.
Pipeline Pet Products' initial flagship brand, Green Bark Gummies, has secured nationwide distribution of Pipeline's omega-3 nutritional treats. Distribution is currently being fulfilled through Pet Food Experts Inc., Animal Supply Co. and Wholesome Pet Distributing, and the company is adding Summit Pet Product Distributors, Lone Star Pet Supply Inc. and Central Garden and Pet to round out the national coverage. Canadian national distribution is through Rolf C. Hagen Inc. There are currently four formula offerings for the Green Bark Gummies brand: Hip & Joint, Skin & Coat (large and small), Healthy Digestion and Health & Vitality. There are no artificial colors or flavors, no wheat, corn or soy and no sugar added. Green Bark Gummies are also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc, are high in fiber, low in carbohydrates and offer multiple solution-based formulas, according to Pipeline.
In the fall of 2015, Green Bark Gummies will add a cat treat line-up to offer the same treat option and all three omega-3's to cats everywhere, followed by a dental offering in 2016.

PetSmart, National Geographic team up for new pet products line

National Geographic and PetSmart announced in October a partnership for a line of new products set to launch in spring 2014 to be sold in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The National Geographic-branded products will initially focus on pets such as fish, reptiles, birds and small animals, and it will include petfood, habitats and accessories.
National Geographic's net proceeds will go toward supporting the conservation of animals and their habitats. National Geographic will also provide educational content for pet parents, including information on pet diets, habitats and natural behaviors. The products will be simple to use and complementary to pets' natural environments.
"Pets play an important role in inspiring people to learn about animals and their natural environments," said Terry Garcia, executive vice president of National Geographic Mission Programs and president of Licensing. "Through this partnership, National Geographic will combine its extensive research with PetSmart's deep commitment to pets and offer products that create fun, educational experiences for people and families who love pets."
"National Geographic's trusted reputation will enhance our customers' experiences with fish, reptiles, small animals and birds in a new and authentic way," said PetSmart CEO David Lenhardt. "Whether it's a habitat designed for better viewing or access to research about the animals' lives in the wild, we hope to bring our pet parents new information and closer relationships with their pets."

Del Monte Foods to focus on Pet Products division, sell Consumer Products business

Del Monte Foods has reached an agreement to sell its Consumer Products business to Del Monte Pacific Limited for $1.675 billion to focus on its Pet Products division and ensure both segments are positioned for growth in their markets. Upon closing on the deal, Del Monte Foods will change its name to better reflect its new focus on the pet market. 
Del Monte will sell its Consumer Products business in order to focus its resources and efforts on continued growth opportunities in its Pet Products business through greater emphasis on pet snacks and the pet specialty channel. This agreement comes after a strategic review that determined a sale of the Consumer Products business provided the best opportunities for the growth and stewardship of the company's two differentiated business portfolios. The company anticipates that the continued heightened importance of pets as a part of the family and higher consumer spending on premium pet products will drive market expansion, building on Del Monte's recent acquisition of specialty petfood brand Natural Balance.
"Over the last two years, we have made significant investments - operationally, strategically and organizationally - to build the Consumer Products and Pet Products segments into businesses capable of capturing the significant opportunity available to each," said Dave West, CEO of Del Monte Foods. "We believe DMPL is the right company to build on the Consumer Products segment's recent success and achieve its next phase of growth, and we look forward to focusing on expanding our Pet Products business, which operates in one of the most attractive categories across the U.S. consumer packaged goods industry."
The transaction is expected to close by early calendar year 2014.

SuperZoo 2013 sees record number of new pet product launches

SuperZoo reported another successful show for its 2013 event, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegaas, Nevada, USA. The pet retailer event saw growth in attendance, exhibitors and square footage for the fourth consecutive year. 
SuperZoo attracted 9 percent more attendees in 2013 than 2012, as well as 982 exhibitors, covering 191,525 square feet of space. The show also saw more new pet products debut than previous shows. Select exhibitors were awarded for innovation through Best New Products of 2013 awards across nine categories.
"We work hard to add value to the show each year," said World Pet Association President Doug Poindexter. "It's so gratifying to see the pet industry respond with such enthusiasm."

SuperZoo 2012 to host 871 pet product, services exhibitors

The World Pet Association has announced that its pet industry trade show SuperZoo 2012 has increased booth space by 18 percent over last year's show, with 871 exhibiting pet product and services companies.
The show, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 11-13, will feature new pet market trends like all natural and organic products, high-tech accessories like programmable feeders and automatic doors, mobile services for seniors and their pets, and more. SuperZoo University will present content in three targeted tracks of business development, animal wellness and technology/Internet.
Among many other opportunities, pet professionals at SuperZoo will be treated to a concert by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at the House of Blues, sponsored by pet food company P&G Pet Care. The performance will be held Tuesday, September 11, with general admission tickets available to attendees for US$10. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Pets in the Classroom program.

Interzoo 2012’s 1,500 exhibitors to cover all pet industry segments

Show organizers of Interzoo 2012 say they expect more than 1,500 pet product manufacturers distributors and retailers from more than 53 countries will present their latest products for all segments of the pet industry at the show, taking place May 17-20, in Nuremberg, Germany.
Out of all exhibitors, 46 percent are expected to exhibit products for the dog and cat segments of the pet industry, while 20 percent of exhibitors are expected to represent the aquaria segment and another 20 percent will represent the small animal and rodent segment. About 14 percent of exhibitors are expected to show products for birds, 12 percent will exhibit products for animals in the garden, and 12 percent are also expected to represent the supplementary pet supplies segment, according to Interzoo organizers.
"There is a demand for food supplements in the form of functional food with ingredients and raw materials suitable for curing or reducing the everyday problems of pets. The new products in the food supplements segment will certainly also include healthy snacks as rewards and as treats for between times,” said Hans-Jochen Büngener, chairman of the exhibition committee. “In addition, I expect to see new special food that takes into account the individual needs of pets and certain sensitivities."
Also at the 2012 show, 11 percent are expected to exhibit products for the terraria segment, 3 percent will exhibit shop fittings and packing, 3 percent will exhibit new petfood technology, 2 percent will exhibit trade literature or represent the media, and 2 percent will exhibit miscellaneous pet industry products.

Additionally, with nearly 79 percent of currently registered exhibitors coming from abroad, Interzoo 2012 organizers made it easier for those all over the world to receive updates about the show with the launch of its new mobile website. Smartphone users around the world can browse Interzoo’s mobile site with modified navigation features and information regarding travel, accommodations, exhibitor search function and exhibit hall map. 

Mexico Pet Expo launches online registration

Organizers of Mexico Pet Expo Show & Conference launched a new website for exhibitors and visitors that allows those interested in attending the pet products tradeshow to register online.
Mexico Pet Expo, taking place June 27-29, in Guadalajara, Mexico, will co-locate for 2012 with the Mexico Forum on Pet Food, hosted by La Asociacion Mexicana de Productores de Alimentos, AC. Industry seminars will be held on topics including retail/pet shop management, veterinarian services, product/service marketing and management, pet business management and more. Both Mexico Pet Expo and the Mexico Forum on Pet Food are open to pet industry professionals. 

Pet product retailer Fressnapf's 2011 sales rise to US$1.7 billion

European pet product retailer Fressnapf's 2011 sales rose by 5.2 percent over 2010 sales, to €1.36 billion (US$1.7 billion), in 11 European countries.
In Germany, Fressnapf's 2011 sales increased 3.4 percent to €913.5 million (US$1.2 billion), which comes after the petfood and accessory retailer opened 23 of its 56 new stores there in 2011. In 10 other countries where Fressnapf trades under the name Maxi Zoo, sales rose 9 percent to €448.9 million (US$587.1 million) in 2011. The company reported its total like-for-like sales were up by slightly more than 1 percent.  

Global Pet Expo 2011 sets records in attendance, new pet products introduced

Petfood companies and exhibitors showed off the latest pet products on the floor of Global Pet Expo 2011.

The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association  announced that Global Pet Expo 2011 exceeded 2010's record-setting numbers in nearly every aspect with thousands of new pet products introduced, and a record number of booths, exhibiting companies and buyers attending the show.
Global Pet Expo 2011 took place March 16-18,  in Orlando, Florida, USA. The show had 835 exhibiting companies, 2,380 booths and total attendance of 4,691 buyers – the highest buyer attendance ever at Global Pet Expo. Pet Expo’s Twitter and Facebook pages also reached all-time highs, with Twitter followers increasing 51% and the Facebook fans increasing by 325% from the previous show.
“I believe our new show date pattern definitely contributed to the record level of attendance this year,” said Andrew Darmohraj, APPA senior vice president. “Overwhelmingly we had heard from buyers that the amount of time they spend at the Show would increase should the show dates take place on weekdays only as opposed to the previous format of Thursday through Saturday. As buyer attendance is critical to the success of Global Pet Expo and its exhibitors, we listened and successfully made the change to a Wednesday through Friday format.”
Dog trainer and TV personality Victoria Stilwell was named the 2011 recipient of Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award.” Stilwell accepted her award at a media-exclusive event sponsored by Nestle Purina Pet Care Co. on March 17. Other show highlights included the debut of the New Products Showcase Awards Presentation and the announcement of APPA's 2010 pet industry spending figures.
The 2012 Global Pet Expo is scheduled to take place from February 29 through March 2, 2012, in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Online pet food, pet supply store offers eco-friendly products

An online pet food and pet supply store, Eco-Dogs.com, recently opened to provide eco-friendly products to pet owners.
Eco-dogs.com officially opened its Web-based storefront on March 1, with the goals of introducing pet owners to natural, organic and eco-friendly products for pets, as well as educating them on ways to support a more sustainable environment, according to co-founder, Marion Elledge.
Items available in the online store include pet products such as Cycle Dog, Ecollargy, Wagging Green, and Earth Dog collars and leashes. The products are made of organic materials like soy, hemp, cotton, wool and bamboo, and also from recycled materials like inner tubes, billboards and plastic bottles.
“It is important to us to bring awareness as to how people can involve their pets in their eco-conscious efforts to prevent global warming and guarantee a sustainable environment. Thus, our slogan became ‘leaving smaller carbon paw prints,’" said Roger Franklin, co-founder and vice president. "We at eco-dogs.com are not only concerned about the environment but also the health of our canine and feline companions."

Latin America petfood, pet product sales surge from 2005 to 2010

Sales of petfood and pet care products are surging in Latin America, led by the Brazilian market, according to the Latin Business Chronicle.
Over the review period of 2005-2010, sales of petfood and pet care products rose from US$4.8 billion to US$8.3 billion, according to Euromonitor International data. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The proportion of global pet care sales from the Latin American market rose from 7.6 % in 2005 to 10.2% in 2010. Brazil is the region's largest market with pet care sales of US$5.2 billion in 2010, followed by Mexico with sales of US$1 billion and Argentina with sales of US$645 million. Income growth in Latin America is attributed to the increase in pet industry value sales. According to Euromonitor International data, the proportion of Brazilian households with an annual disposable income of at least US$25,000 rose from 21.7% to 30.1% over the review period, while Argentina saw a greater increase from 33.5% to 44.8%.
Brazil's National Association of Pet Food Manufacturers, ANFALPET, reported the average unit price of dog food and cat food in the country saw increases of 7% and 5%, respectively, in 2009, meaning many consumers in the region have absorbed these price increases. Euromonitor International data also found growth in value sales of economy dog and cat food in Latin America slowed only marginally from 13.9% in 2008 to 10.5% in 2009, and recovered to 14.5% in 2010. Sales of mid-priced products saw growth slow from 15.9% in 2008 to 8.3% in 2009, before recovering to 10.6% in 2010. Growth in premium petfoods in Latin America fell from 10% in 2007 to 2.7% in 2008, but rebounded to 4.2% in 2009 and surged to 12.3% in 2010, according to the Euromonitor data.
Overall, pet healthcare sales in the region rose from US$69.4 million to US$119.1 million over the review period, an increase of 71.6%, according to Euromonitor data. The data also showed sales of other pet products, like clothing, jumped nearly 36% to US$334 million.
Euromonitor International predicts that Latin American pet care value sales will exhibit a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% over the 2010-2015 period, to US$10.9 billion (in 2010 prices). This will represent a significant slowdown from the review period due to threats of inflation and commodity dependence, according to Euromonitor.