News & Newsletters: Page 754

Petfood flavoring company AFB awarded for 2011 customer satisfaction

Petfood palatability product manufacturer AFB International was awarded the 2011 Experience Award in the Customer Experience category by research agency Integron. AFB says the award, given at a March 15 awards ceremony in Rotterdam, Netherlands, recognizes its consistent dedication to customer satisfaction.

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 distributers 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.

Global Pet Expo 2012 sets records in attendance, exhibitors

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.

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

Petfood companies Mars, Heinz Watties dispute over trademark

Petfood manufacturer Mars and New Zealand petfood company Heinz Watties are in a dispute over whether Mars can trademark the marketing slogan for its Advance petfood line in Australia, according to a local report. Mars wants to trademark the slogan "Advance Advanced Pet Nutrition," but was denied by assistant trademarks commissioner, Jennie Walden, because she said the trademark phrase was likely to confuse consumers due to its similarity to what Heinz Watties says is its unregistered trademark of "Champ Advanced Dog Nutrition."

Petfood manufacturers fined by France antitrust authority

Petfood manufacturers Nestlé SA, Mars Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Co. were fined a collective €35.3 million (US$46.7 million) by France's antitrust authority for pressuring petfood distributors to mark up prices, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Autorité de la Concurrence in France said "vertical agreements" between the three petfood companies and their respective distributors between 2004 and 2008 "limited competition on the markets for dry food for dogs and cats."

AFIA holds Purchasing, Ingredient Suppliers Conference

The 2012 Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference, an annual two-day event of the American Feed Industry Association, was held March 14-16, in Orlando, Florida, USA, where 553 individuals working within the livestock feed and petfood industries learned about the latest issues and events. Those in the animal feed industry who attended the conference heard market analyses and speakers on current topics such as barcoding, packaging, China’s impact on agriculture production, regulatory requirements and more.

Market Trends and Reports

Del Monte launches new Meow Mix cat food, relaunches jingle

Petfood manufacturer Del Monte Foods is bringing back its "Meow Mix" brand cat food jingle after 16 years to celebrate the launch of its new Meow Mix Tenders Centers cat food. Along with the launch of the new cat food and relaunch of the jingle, Meow Mix commissioned a study of US cat owners and their cats.

2012 Iditarod dog sled race won by youngest winner ever

The 2012 Iditarod was recently completed and won by the youngest person in the 1,000-mile dog sled race's history. Dallas Seavey, age 25, and his team of dogs ran to the race's finish line in Nome, Alaska, USA, making him the youngest winner of the race ever.

Petfood packaging manufacturer Weatherchem releases yearly summary

Petfood packaging manufacturer Weatherchem recently released its yearly summary for 2011, in which Weatherchem says it had the most successful year in the company's 40-year history. During 2011, Weatherchem experienced growth of 21 percent and an employment expansion of 15 percent.

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition executive discusses petfood company's growth

Jeff Watters, who will become president of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition on March 31, recently discussed the growing petfood company's success with the Erie Times-News. In the article, Watters said the once-regional company now sells petfood in all 50 states in the US under several different brand names, with a focus on value-priced products that appeal to a wider range of customers.

JRS to host fiber seminar for petfood, pet treat manufacturers

J. Rettenmaier & Sohne will host a fiber seminar for the needs of petfood and pet treat manufacturers at its headquarters in Rosenberg, Germany, on May 16. The company will feature industry experts and petfood specialists sharing knowledge on the latest trials in pet nutrition and new EU labelling practice for petfoods.

Burgess Pet Care offers new small animal food with fiber

Small animal food manufacturer Burgess Pet Care recently introduced a new line to cater to pets' dental, digestive and emotional needs. The company says these pets, known as "fibervores," require a high amount of fiber in their diet, which is why the company says its new Excel Complete Food Cubes are a complete food to meet the needs of rabbits and guinea pigs.

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