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Month: June 2014

Miranda Lambert, Pedigree Team Up to Help Shelters

Miranda Lambert joins other celebrities, such as Josh Duhamel and David Ortiz, in releasing a documentary short to support Pedigree‘s See what good food can do. campaign.

The video, seen below, showcases her passion for dog adoption.

The See what good food can do. campaign is transforming shelters by giving one in each of the continental United States $5,000 worth of Pedigree Food for Dogs and $5,000 worth of shelter renovation and improvement projects.

Pedigree is also encouraging others nationwide to share their stories on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #DogTales. For each story shared, the Brand will donate a bowl of food to a shelter in need, up to 100,000 bowls.

 

 

Daily Kibble to Run Weekly Contest Benefiting Shelters

Starting Wend. June 25, Daily Kibble is running a weekly contest where winners will select a shelter to be awarded a weekly prize.

Each week’s prize value will range from $1,000 – $2,500 given by participating companies.

“All of our contests have been special in their own way, but this is the first time we are running ten contests back to back.” said Daily Kibble CEO Terry Miller. “We are so grateful to all the partners who decided to take part in this special endeavor. We’re excited because we feel we’ll be able to have a tremendously positive impact on the Rescue / Shelter community.”

Daily Kibble is expecting to have at least 10,000 people enter each week.

To enter, please visit. http://www.dailykibble.com/promo/dkrescue

Splash and Dash for Dogs Expands Franchise Opportunities

Splash and Dash for Dogs is expanding by offering new franchise opportunities called Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique.

“In working with our licensees over the years, we’ve seen that these mom & pops stores have no support with things like bookkeeping or what retail to carry” said Dan J. Barton, CEO and founder of Splash and Dash. “They are on their own trying to compete with not only a lack of resources but with the big box stores as well. The mom and pops have more passion and pride than any big box store could imagine.”

Established three years ago, Splash and Dash now has 36 successful licensees. In anticipation of the expansion, Splash and Dash has brought in additional industry experts to join their team, revamped the company branding and launched two new websites.

“I saw a need to open up a new space in the market which is between the mom and pops

and big box store,” said Barton. “Our franchise model brings selection, technology and knowledge of large pet stores and combines it with the passion, pride and love for pets the small dog grooming businesses have.”

For more information, please visit http://splashanddashfranchise.com.

Cardinal Laboratories Wins Best Green Company to Work For

Cardinal Laboratories has been voted the Best Green Company to Work For in the San Gabriel Valley by readers of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star and Whittier Daily News.

The newspapers conducted a poll that allowed respondents to write in any local business’s name. They received more than 2,000 responses, and Azusa, Calif.-based Cardinal got the most votes in the Green Company category.

Cardinal is at the forefront of earth-friendly manufacturing of dog products. The company installed solar panels in 2009, and now the air conditioning in the warehouse and offices is powered entirely by the sun.

“Luckily when we ‘went green,’ the upgrades in equipment and savings in electricity meant we could have an air-conditioned factory and pet food distribution center,” said Tony de Vos, president and CEO of Cardinal. “It makes it a more comfortable environment for the employees.   I think that’s one of the things they appreciate.  Kindness and knowing your employees always helps too.”

In addition, Cardinal was voted a “Favorite” in the Best Overall Companies to Work For category.

Treat Planet Launches New App

Treat Planet, LLC has launched an iPad and iPhone app designed to support retailers and resellers of the Treat Planet Dog Treat brands.

The app provides complete support for all brands and includes information such as product pictures, guaranteed analysis, ingredient decks, training videos, and complete data sheets on every Treat Planet product. The Treat Planet App also allows retailers to participate in monthly company contests and add their store locations directly to Treat Planet’s online retail locator system.

“The industry is demanding the highest level of support for premium treat products with accurate and up to date information,” said Doug Martin, president of Treat Planet. “This App allows us to deliver on this instantly to all Treat Planet partners.”

 

flexi North America Retains K. Sutherland PR

K. Sutherland PR has been selected to manage and execute media and public relations strategies for flexi North America.

K. Sutherland PR’s efforts will focus primarily on building awareness and promoting education about the world’s number one retractable dog leash.

“We are thrilled to be representing the flexi brand in America, and admire the company’s longstanding tradition of quality, class and innovation,” said Kerry Sutherland, principal of K. Sutherland PR. “I feel our team’s creativity, energy, relationships and pet industry experience are a perfect match for this leading pet product brand.”

Could This Pet Product Manufacturer Be Acquired?

In an industry where acquisitions and buyouts seem to the norm these days, Central Garden & Pet Company confirmed that it has received an unsolicited letter from Harbinger Group Inc. requesting that the company discuss with Harbinger a possible acquisition.

Central’s board will review Harbinger Group’s unsolicited letter in due course in consultation with its financial and legal advisers, said the company in a press release.

A possible acquisition by Harbinger would be for all outstanding shares of Central’s common stock at $10 per share in cash or, alternatively, the acquisition of the company’s pet segment for $750 million in cash, subject to due diligence.

Central’s pet segment includes brands that span across categories in the industry and include, Adams, Critter Trail, Super Pet, Nylabone, TFH, Aqueon, Zilla and Four Paws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novartis Animal Health Sold to Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly and Company will acquire Novartis Animal Health for approximately $5.4 billion in an all-cash transaction that will strengthen and diversify Lilly’s own animal health business, Elanco.

This will make Elanco the second-largest animal health company in terms of global revenue, will solidify its number two ranking in the U.S., and improve its position in Europe and the rest of the world.

“Animal health continues to represent an attractive growth opportunity for Lilly. We intend to keep Elanco and to take advantage of the substantial synergies between our animal health and human health businesses,” John C. Lechleiter, Lilly’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said. “Significant investments in our animal health business in recent years have enabled Elanco to double its revenue since 2008, leading the industry in growth. Global trends suggest continued sustained demand for animal health products in the years ahead.”

With a presence in approximately 40 countries and 2013 revenue of approximately $1.1 billion, Novartis Animal Health is focused on developing better ways to prevent and treat diseases in pets, farm animals and farmed fish.

Lilly will acquire Novartis Animal Health’s nine manufacturing sites, six dedicated research and development facilities, a global commercial infrastructure with a portfolio of approximately 600 products, a robust pipeline with more than 40 projects in development and an experienced team of more than 3,000 employees.

The acquisition will greatly expand and complement Elanco’s product portfolio, R&D and manufacturing capabilities and commercial presence in key geographies, the company said. In particular, it provides Elanco with a greater commercial presence in the companion animal and swine markets, expands Elanco’s presence in the equine and vaccines areas, and creates an entry into the aquaculture market.

 

The Honest Kitchen Renews “Human Grade” Claims

The Honest Kitchen has successfully renewed its formal Statement of No Objection with the Federal Food & Drug Association to use the term “human grade” on all of its pet food labels.

The company’s human grade foods are produced in a human food facility, not in a pet food plant, using 100 percent human-edible ingredients.

“We require our vendors to provide us with a signed Human Edible Status Verification document each year, along with a Statement of Integrity, which promises that the ingredient we’re purchasing meets a specific set of criteria,” said Lucy Postins, company founder and CEO. “They verify that every ingredient is non-GMO, not irradiated, not sourced from (or grown or processed in) China, and also document any applicable sustainability traits, such as Organic certification, Fair Trade, Free-range and so on.”

The Honest Kitchen chooses to make 100 percent human-grade pet foods as a way of assuring customers about the quality, purity and integrity of the products.

The term “human grade” is not permitted on conventional pet food products, even if they are made with human-grade or human-quality ingredients, if the finished product itself is not made in a human food production facility.

 

Happy Howie’s, Inc Wins State Award

Happy Howie’s, Inc has been recognized as one of the 2014 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Happy Howie’s makes natural dog treats with U.S. sourced ingredients. They put a human spin on treats by making them with sausage, jerky and even burgers. All of its treats are made in small batches and can take from 1 – 3 days to cook.

“My team and I are honored to receive this award. It is very gratifying to be included with this group of companies (Michigan 50) working to bring our state to a new level of prosperity,” said David Collado, company president. “This recognition lets us know that we are on the right track to achieve our goal of becoming the world leader in the art of dried, cured, and smoked meat treats for dogs.”

The company is known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage.

To qualify for the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list, companies must have six to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generate $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants.

Winners were selected by Michigan-based judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development, and venture capital communities.

Pure Treats Adds Eastern Sales Director

Bill Schemekau has been hired as eastern sales director at Pure Treats to manage its brand of PureBites dog and cat treats.

In this position, he will work closely with distributors and independent pet retailers east of the Mississippi.

Schemekau has 5 years of experience in the pet industry most recently introducing and building dog and cat food companies.

“We are very excited to have Bill join our team,” said Marc Cathcart, president of Pure Treats. “His expertise as a senior pet and business management professional will help generate great incremental sales for our distributor and independent pet retail partners.”