The UK pet industry has been mourning the sad passing of Steve Dixon, who died at the age of 70 just before Christmas. He had held area sales manager roles with Spillers Pet Foods, Supreme Pet Foods, Burgess Supafeeds and Burns Pet Foods before retiring in 2022.
Steve was universally liked and respected in the pet product industry and to hear the shocking news from his brother Rob and sister-in-law Tracey that he had passed away on 17th December at only 70 years old was a blow shared by those who knew him in the pet industry.
Lynda Ward, owner of Pet Trade Solutions, paid tribute to Steve.
“I knew Steve from 1984 when he joined the sales team at Jenks Brokerage, covering the North East and Scotland (whilst I covered West Midlands and North West) selling products on behalf of Quaker Europe and Purina Petfoods with heavy influence on breeder contact and support at dog and cat shows. We travelled to shows and sales meetings together and continued to periodically ‘chew the fat’ from then on.
“After 11 years with Jenks/McCormick UK, Steve’s career in the trade took him through Area Sales Manager roles with Spillers Pet Foods, Supreme Pet Foods, Burgess Supafeeds and, finally, from 2009, Burns Pet Foods.
“During those years he developed a strong portfolio of clients including pet food wholesalers, managing directors of companies with the largest market share in the UK, influential buyers for national retail outlets, vets and many independent retailers.
“Exceptionally reliable, professional and with a ‘can do’ attitude, he was friendly, honest and trustworthy with an excellent reputation.
“I had no qualms about putting him forward for any role and, having introduced him to Burns I wasn’t surprised some years on that when they approached me to find an Area Manager candidate for another area, the brief was simply, ‘We’d like another Steve Dixon please. An impossible brief – he was truly a ‘one of a kind’.”
Steve’s funeral will be held at the main chapel of Markeaton Crematorium (Derby) on Monday 20th January at 2.30pm, donations to charity only please.
Tracy and Rob said: “We’re wearing a splash of colour – Steve wouldn’t want all black.”
