Several pet industry brands have been recognized by Newsweek through its 2024 America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity list.
Pet food brands that made the list include: Mars, parent company of Mars Petcare; Simmons, the parent company of Simmons Pet Foods; General Mills, the parent company of Blue Buffalo; and Colgate-Palmolive, the parent company of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (See the complete list of pet industry brands below.)
Newsweek and market data research firm Plant-A Insights Group partnered for a second year to compile the list, which features the top large (more than 5,000 employees) and mid-size companies (1,000 but fewer than 5,000 employees). The companies on the list were “recognized by their employees for genuinely respecting and valuing individuals from different walks of life,” said Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief of Newsweek, in her statement.
"Our scoring process involved a thorough examination of publicly available data, interviews with HR professionals, and an anonymous online survey conducted among a diverse group of employees at companies in the U.S.," wrote Cooper. "Respondents shared insights into corporate culture, working environments and other aspects of both their own companies and others they were familiar with, resulting in over 1.5 million company reviews."
According to Petfood Industry's Top Pet Food Companies list:
Mars Petcare is the world's leading pet food company, with nearly 50 pet food brands including five, billion-dollar brands.
Hill's Pet Nutrition sells more than 300 products, principally through authorized pet supply retailers and veterinarians in more than 80 countries worldwide.
General Mills entered the pet food market in 2018 with the acquisition of Blue Buffalo, which is manufactured in the U.S. through a hybrid network of owned and contracted facilities.
Simmons Pet Foods is the leading North American private-label and contract manufacturer of wet pet food.
Cooper noted that companies that value diversity tend to attract and retain employees. "Job seekers, particularly younger generations, seek employers that prioritize diversity and inclusion," she said. "Employees are more likely to stay with a company that nurtures an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued — contributing to higher levels of job satisfaction and reducing turnover rates."
Pet industry brands that made the Newsweek list:
- ADM
- Bayer
- BluePearl Veterinary Partners
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
- Chewy
- Colgate-Palmolive, parent company of Hill’s Pet Nutrition
- General Mills, parent company of Blue Buffalo
- Johnson & Johnson, parent company Johnson & Johnson Animal Health
- Kent Corp., parent company of Kent Pet Group, makers of World’s Best Cat Litter
- Mars, parent company of Mars Petcare
- Simmons, parent company of Simmons Pet Foods
- VCA Animal Hospitals
- VetCor Group Holdings
- Veterinary Practice Partners
- Zoetis, makers of Pet-Tabs Plus dog treats
