G-Paws - a lightweight GPS data recorder that allows pet owners to discover the behaviour patterns of their animals - is now ready to launch in mainland Europe following its phenomenal success in the UK...

Robust and weighing just 11g, G-Paws has sparked a craze in the UK with cat owners discovering the secret life of their pets.

The company behind the device is now looking to recruit territory agents to share in the success of this phenomenally successful product across Europe.

Since launching in the UK in late summer 2013 G-Paws has captured the public’s interest and several thousand units have been sold through a select few major-multiple retailers.

The unit links to a free-to-use website (g-paws.com) where users can save and share their pets’ adventures on individual profiles.

G-Paws is now ready to enter Europe. G-Paws.com is currently undergoing development to a multi-lingual site, starting with English, French, German and Spanish and the product has its descriptor and instructions in the same languages.

With a single SKU the product-proposition is much better suited to agents rather than distributors with all product now immediately available, landed and EU duty paid and ready for drop-ship direct to retailers.

A simple price structure with a strong agent commissions is now available on request together with PR, marketing support and collateral.

The G-Paws concept was developed by Dave Evans to find out why his own cat Yollo was putting on weight despite being fed less.

Dave said: “The launch media activity was phenomenal and has demonstrated huge consumer demand for this product. Cat owners can’t wait to see what their moggies are getting up to when out and about and we’re finding the product is also popular with dog owners, especially those using professional walking services as a way of keeping tabs on how much exercise they’re getting.

“With strong marketing support, a fantastically simple and engaging concept and some exciting product developments in the very-near future, now is a fantastic time to be entering Europe. If parties move quickly they could cash in on the obvious Christmas gifting market!”

Interested agents with outstanding retail contacts, some knowledge of GPS/consumer electronics and English should contact Dave Evans (managing director) via email on dave@g-paws.com

Award-winning pet food supplier Natures Menu has achieved yet another landmark in the company’s business history...the processing of its One Millionth Order!

The Norfolk-based firm has been manufacturing natural pet foods since 1981. Starting out as a small family business preparing simple minced meat pet foods for local dog kennels and clubs, it now boasts an award-winning range of natural pet foods sold across Europe.

Managing director Craig Taylor was one of the original family members and has been with the company since it began.

He says the company is committed to sourcing its pet food ingredients from local suppliers and Great Britain as a principle, contributing positively to the growth of the local economy in East Anglia.

As an expanding company Natures Menu has also been able to take on extra staff with further job opportunities to be expected as the company grows and fulfils the demand for its pet foods.

Craig is sure Natures Menu’s success lies in the fact that it provides honestly labelled, genuinely natural, great quality products that pets find irresistible.

"I am delighted that Natures Menu has reached such a landmark and proud to still be serving the UK’s finest pet stores after 33 years."

The lucky one millionth customer was Brenda Holmes, who runs the independent pet store Dis-Cover Pets Corner in Diss,.

Brenda said: 'There is so much real meat in the Natures Menu products. We are always telling customers that’s what makes a pet so healthy. The treats are the only thing that brings my cats into the house when I call them."

Brenda and Store manager Debbie are pictured with Natures Menus managing director Craig Taylor receiving a bottle of bubbly.

Formore information visit: www.naturesmenu.co.uk

The Innocent Hound has added a festive product to its range of luxury British venison dog treats.

The Sliced Venison Sausage with Cranberry is made with 80% British venison mixed with whole cranberries then air-dried until semi-moist. The sausage is then sliced into bite-sized pieces making them ideal for training and rewards.

The Innocent Hound’s products are hypoallergenic and the British venison is sourced from farms with the highest animal welfare standards.

Since its launch in May The Innocent Hound has been well received by retailers for its offering of good quality, natural and healthy products.

The range now consists of four luxury products in a combination of flavours and sizes. The unique resealable tubs and eye-catching packaging helps the products stand out on the shelves and keep customers coming back for more.

Retailers can buy the products directly from The Innocent Hound or they are available from Vital Pet Products and Armstrong Richardson.

RRP is £4.49 for a 100g pack.

For more information email woof@theinnocenthound.co.uk

Group55 is to helping groomers to sharpen up, having agreed the UK distribution rights for CLIPP-AID, a ground breaking new product from the USA to enable groomers to quickly and easily sharpen their trimmer and clipper blades themselves.

Clipp-Aid uses patented sharpening crystals, supplied in special single use sachets, which enable a hair care professional such as a groomer or hairdresser to breathe new life into tired and dull blades within minutes.

To sharpen a trimmer or clipper blade, the user simply opens a sachet of Clipp-Aid crystals, sets their machine running, and places the blade edge into the crystals, moving the blade back and forth for around a minute. During this time, the crystals are pulverised into a fine powder, and the friction created sharpens the blade edge.

Clipp-Aid offers great benefits to the grooming professional, not least by saving them time and money. A blade can be sharpened using Clipp-Aid in just a minute or two, without the hassle of having to send the blade away to be sharpened, and can work out at as little as £2.50 per sharpen, depending on the blade size.

There are four Clipp-Aid variants – Clipp-Aid for trimmers (all sizes), Clipp-Aid for Standard Clipper Blades, Clipp-Aid for Mid-Size Clipper Blades and Clipp-Aid for Large Clipper Blades. The products are supplied in boxes of 10 and 8 sachets and prices range from £24.99 to £29.99 across the range.

Group55 is the company being the multi-award winning Animology range of shampoos and grooming sprays. Already supplying countless groomers around the world, Group55 offers Clipp-Aid an ideal route to market, and will add the product range to their current product offering, which is set to expand further over the next 12 months.

Group55’s Sales Manager, Martin Breen said: “We are delighted to have concluded this distribution agreement with Clipp-Aid, which will allow us to bring an exciting and innovative new range of products to our customers.

"The Clipp-Aid products will be channelled through one of the most successful and fast growing distribution networks in Europe, alongside our Animology product range.”

Westland, the pioneering UK manufacturer of food and accessories for the bird food market, remains the only bird food producer to achieve accreditation from The British Retail Consortium.

Earlier this month, Westland’s Driffield facility was told that it had retained its ‘A’ grade status from the BRC for the fourth year, making its products a safe bet for both retailers and consumers.

The continued success follows a two day annual audit of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Driffield, which produces the leading brands Nature’s Feast, Peckish and Bucktons. The facility surpassed expectations across a stringent set of criteria, covering everything from processes, hygiene and safety, to the full traceability of ingredients.

The BRC award is testament to Westland’s commitment to excellence, quality produce and highly trained staff. In addition to the status, Westland can also provide significant support to suppliers through investments in media and marketing. This includes in-depth customer insight which has led to more effective product positioning across all bird food brands and a £1 million TV and communication plan for Peckish.

James Farnsworth, General Manager at Westland said: “We are delighted to remain the only bird food manufacturer to achieve the BRC accreditation. The BRC is much more than just an accreditation for us. It’s about creating a culture in which everyone in the company recognises the importance of product safety and the quality of our products.

“The status, which we have achieved at Grade ‘A’ for the fourth year running, acts as an assurance to our customers that all our products, have been produced safely by experienced and professional staff, to the highest standards, using the best ingredients.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director at Westland said “In addition, we remain the only manufacturer to actively drive awareness of the bird food sector in national advertising across the UK. We have invested in TV, print and magazine advertising to ensure that more people than ever realise the importance of feeding birds and flock to our retailers to buy our products. Last year alone, we invested £1m in TV and communications, achieving a sales growth of 148%, compared to the previous year.”

The BRC is a leading trade association providing certificates for manufacturers who can prove they implement best practice across their manufacturing processes. The BRC Global Standards are a leading global safety and quality certification programme, used throughout the world by over 17,000 certified suppliers in 90 countries

For further information about the products included in the Nature’s Feast, Peckish and Bucktons ranges, visit www.peckishbirdfood.com, www.bucktons.co.uk or  www.naturesfeast.co.uk

OATA has given a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award to one of its founding members David Keeley.

David, who ran Underworld in Loughborough for many years, helped set up OFI UK in 1991, which later become known as the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA).

He was a popular and well-known figure in the industry, until his untimely death in 2010.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was handed out at the AQUA 2013 show in Telford. This year, David’s widow Jenny was present to accept the award from OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport at the show dinner.

“He was a very private person and liked to keep in the background so he probably wouldn’t have liked the attention but secretly he would have been very pleased," said Jenny.

"I am sure if he had been here to accept the award he would have had a few anecdotes to impart. He was a man of integrity with a great sense of humour who really cared about the industry and I think he would have been extraordinarily proud.”

OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport said: “I don’t think David missed an OATA board meeting. He was a very dedicated supporter of the industry and the trade association he was a prime mover in setting up.

"His twinkly smile, his good humour, his good sense and flamboyant ties are sadly missed by us all.”

Pictured: Jenny Keeley with OATA Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

PATS 2013 Harrogate from sirastudio on Vimeo.

After a record breaking year with almost 8,000 submissions for the Kennel Club’s annual Dog Photographer of the Year Competition, the winners have been announced.

Roger Sjolstad from Norway has been selected as the overall winner of the competition with his dynamic image of a young girl and a Great Dane running through water, which was the winner of the ‘Man’s Best Friend’ category.

Speaking about winning the biggest canine photography competition in the world, Roger said: “The photograph is of our ten year old daughter, Tea with our dog Robbie and was taken at a lake near our home outside of Oslo.

“This photo was absolutely not planned, my wife asked me to bring my camera to take a few shots of the dog swimming. My young Dane had never been near water before this evening, so I was quite surprised when he took off into the water and he just ran, ran, ran! He really enjoyed the water. Tea joined him and together they started running towards the shore and there I was with my camera – at the right place at the right time.

“I have always found photography very interesting, I had a darkroom in our basement by the age of twelve but it really took off a few years ago when we inherited three Great Danes and I now combine my biggest interests: dogs and photography.”

The other category winners were: Richard Shore from Cardiff, who won the ‘Dogs at Play’ category with a beautifully timed image of a Border Collie jumping; Susan Stone Amport from Switzerland, whose photograph of a Pointer contrasted against everlasting fields won ‘Dogs At Work’; Ali Trew from Fingringhoe, Essex, who won the ‘Puppy’ category with an adorable image of her Hungarian Vizsla puppy; and Philip Watts from Radstock, Somerset, who won the ‘Dog Portrait’ category with a bold close up of a Cocker Spaniel.

The winner of the sixteen and under category, ‘I Love Dogs Because…’, was nine year old Katie Davies with her unique, creative and comical photograph of her Miniature Schnauzer and Pomeranian hiding amongst a mountain of soft toys. Katie expressed an interest in photography at a young age and decided to spend her birthday money on a camera. Katie composed the image without any help and the results speak for themselves. Speaking about her win, Katie said: “I am happy and excited to have won the competition and when I grow up I would like to become a pet photographer.”

Katie is on her way towards a future in photography as her prize for winning the ‘I Love Dogs Because…’ category includes a personalised dog photography day with award winning professional photographer, Andy Biggar.

Andy joined internationally renowned photographer and artist, Jo Longhurst and Kennel Club Chairman and Chief Executive, Steve Dean and Rosemary Smart to judge the competition alongside dog lovers Kat Smith-Ward and Paul Finch, the people behind O2’s Be More Dog campaign.

One image struck both Paul and Kat and was awarded a special ‘Be More Dog Mention’. Kat explained: “We came across an image of a dog playing in the snow and thought instantly that this embodied the Be More Dog campaign. The photograph, taken by Mary Wilde from Matlock, captures her Coton Du Tulear’s mouth wide open, up on two legs trying to catch a giant snowball. It's exactly the type of behaviour we love from dogs who, by their very nature, aren't afraid to try new things and have fun. It encapsulates our campaign beautifully.”

All of the winning images will be on display throughout London’s leading dog event, Discover Dogs which takes place at Earls Court on 9^th and 10^th November.

The Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year Competition consists of six categories: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy and I Love Dogs Because – a category specifically for those aged 16 and under.

For tickets to Discover Dogs to see the images up close, visit www.discoverdogs.org.uk/ticket-office.

A student has won £5,000 to help achieve her dream of opening a unique pet treat business.

Jacquelyn Bond-Vaughan, of Borehamwood, and two other friends won the University of Hertfordshire’s annual business start up competition, Flare.

The trio beat off competition from 100 others to win the title of Most Innovative Idea for their business, Petilicious.

She said: “To have won feels amazing. I’m absolutely speechless, it really hasn’t sunk in yet. We’ve learnt so much from the process of entering the competition and have gained a lot of confidence in ourselves and the business.

“We’re going to use the money to create a website, develop a cat range and test our product.”

Ms Bond-Vaughan, and her team mates Chloe Hackey and Lauren Ash, are all business students at the University of Hertfordshire.

They went head to head with 12 other finalists to impress the judges in a Dragons’ Den style pitch on Thursday night.

As a result of successful bids by the PetQuip association, which works to help UK firms gain new international business, significant government funding has been secured for two major international pet care trade shows in 2014.

British pet care suppliers can obtain valuable cash grants towards the cost of exhibiting at Interzoo and Global Pet Expo.  PetQuip is the non-for-profit UK body in the pet care sector which is recognised by UK Trade and Investment as one of only 99 Trade Challenge Partners for its work in partnership with government to open up new export opportunities for the UK pet product trade.

Global Pet Expo is to be held in Florida in March 2014 and Interzoo in Nuremberg in June 2014. The strong performances recorded by British firms exhibiting in previous PetQuip-organised groups at these two major international trade shows has resulted in immediate export sales and significant follow-up business.

The funding made available for the 2014 trade shows will provide grants of £2,000 for eligible Global Pet Expo exhibitors and £1,500 for eligible Interzoo exhibitors.  Global Pet Expo targets key distributors and retailers of pet supplies from the $55 billion North American pet care market and from around the world.  Interzoo is the world’s biggest trade fair for pet supplies that is held every two years and attracts visitors from 115 countries. 

More details on the these shows and the comprehensive stand package and the comprehensive organisational and promotional support services being offered to exhibitors by PetQuip can be obtained by emailing either theresa@petquip.com or emma@petquip.com

The KONG Company is expanding and is now recruiting experienced Territory Sales personnel in the North-East and South-East of the UK.

Kong are also seeking French and/or German speaking Customer Care staff for their West Dorset headquarters.

If you're interested in any of the positions Interested call Angie Dackombe on 01308 869001.

Although the Chuckit brand has recently changed hands in the US, Mines for Pets (UK) Ltd will continue to be an independent distributor of the products to pet shops, on-line businesses, vets and other specialist traders.

Having been the sole distributor for some years and having seen substantial growth in sales over the last 12-months, Mines for Pets is pleased to be continuing to sell the brand to existing customers at competitive rates.  

Mines for Pets has added several new Chuckit lines to its range, bringing the total to around 40 ball launchers, compatible balls and other outdoor toys for active dogs.

Company owner Melanie Mines said: “I am really pleased to have been able to hold on to the range and plan to provide a friendly, fast and efficient service to my existing customers and bring new ones on board over the next few months”.

The company’s website www.minesforpets.co.uk shows images of all lines stocked and information on new lines. For enquiries call 01243 265378.

Meanwhile Mines for Pets has launched an ingenious new ball for dogs from the Chuckit range.

The Chuckit Kick Fetch ball, in large, is the size of a regular football making it perfect for kicking distances and for ground pursuit games.

The Kick Fetch ball has a unique design especially for dogs. The ball contains two large grooves which are lined with an easy grip rubber and the outer surface of the ball is a durable canvass material.

The grooves are positioned and shaped in a way to make it easy for dogs of varying sizes to easily pick up the ball and run with it. Kick Fetch is also amazingly lightweight, safe for dogs and easy to carry and kick long distances.

The Kick Fetch ball has a foam core making it puncture resistant, durable and long-lasting. The ball floats too and is designed for use both on land and in water. Kick Fetch ball is available in large which is 7.5 inches in diameter and suitable for medium to large dogs.

Also available is the small Kick Fetch which is the size of a junior football and ideal for small to medium dogs. The ball is light weight and bounces well. It is bright and easily visible in day-glow orange and blue colours.

Kick Fetch has a suggested RRP of £19.99 for small and £29.99 for the large ball.

Available in five brightly coloured designs - Dog, Bear, Rattle and Whale in sizes Medium and Large, and Bone in sizes small, medium and large.

Call KONG on 0800 3698654 for more information about Off/On.

The superlatives flowed thick and fast at AQUA 2013, the third edition of market leading showcase for the UK’s water gardening and aquatics trade. Among the words being used to describe the event which closed yesterday were ‘record breaking’, ‘excellent’, ‘focussed’, ‘innovative’ and ‘fantastic’.

With visitor numbers up 9.3% on 2011, AQUA 2013 again showed the importance attached to it both by retailers and exhibitors who took up more exhibition space than ever before. With AQUA now firmly established as a biennial event, it gave one of the industry’s key players the opportunity to exhibit for the first time. 

For Tony Gunn, a senior territory manager of Peregrine Livefoods, it was an exciting first appearance at AQUA. “The feedback I have been getting has been very good. We have been rushed off our feet and buyers have been placing very good orders. The show has been very well organised and we will definitely support it in the future.”

King British have been show regulars since its inception in 2011 and as far as field sales manager Jane Austin is concerned King British needs to be at AQUA.  “It is the UK’s major showcase for all manufacturers and distributors and a brilliant place to do business.”

Aquarline’s Peter Hemingway has been in the aquatics industry for 26 years and 2013 was his first time as an exhibitor at AQUA. “The show has worked extremely well for us and we have had a lot of positive interest in our new products, many of which are hi-tech ones. There is a good friendly environment about the halls. We will back in two years time and I hope as the exhibition grows, so will we.”

As far as Jim Marshall, the managing director of Atlantis WGP, is concerned this year has proved the best of the three AQUAs. He summed up by saying: “If you are in water gardening you have to be at AQUA. We will be back in 2015.”

Maintaining involvement with their customers as well as establishing new ones, is a key aspect of exhibiting at the show according to Alex Hinton, the trade marketing manager of Tetra. “We find AQUA a great mechanic to get face-to-face feedback from our retailers and the footfall on our stand has been very impressive.”

Satisfaction among visitors was equally high. Stephen Walker, an area manager with World of Water, enthused: “It’s been a really good, informative show. We have picked up a lot of good ideas. After a very poor 2012 our trade has picked up in 2013 and we are at the point where we need new ideas to carry us into the winter aquatics season. In previous years I spent a day at the show. This year I definitely need two.”

Another buyer looking for ideas was David Matthews of Harveys Aquatics and Pets based in Dudley.  “It’s a very impressive show and I really like the way it’s laid out. We have come to the show to look for ideas as we are moving into tropicals and they are all here.”

Aquariums for use in schools was the objective for Colm O’Reilly of Fintastic Aquariums for Derry in Northern Ireland. “We already supply large display aquariums in schools and shops, but we are here looking for much smaller units to use as teaching aids. The show is a great place to learn about the industry.”

Finding what he wanted was the key objective for Steven Warburton, the assistant manager of Ripples Waterlife in Bridgemere, Cheshire, and his visit proved a success. “It’s nice to see what’s new in one place,” he added.

Summing up the reaction to AQUA 2013, organiser Annie Dyke said: “I am delighted with the enthusiasm shown by exhibitors and visitors to our biennial event. The record-breaking attendance proves that the format of AQUA is continuing to deliver the audience our exhibitors have come to expect from the largest show of its kind in the UK. I look forward to welcoming everyone back to Telford in two years’ time.”