Visitors to PATS Harrogate in September will be greeted by a host of new exhibitors, including RC Hagen.

Paul Trott, from Hagen said: “This year we will be attending PATS Harrogate with one of the most exciting launches in our company’s history. We will be launching a complete range of licensed dog toys under one of the biggest names in children’s activity toys.

“The reach and recognition of this brand are enormous and the innovative range itself is superb in terms of quality and price. A full announcement with more detail will follow in the trade press but trust us, you won’t want to miss this one.”

Manufacturers like Hagen have identified PATS as the best place to showcase their products to UK retailers and overseas buyers, and an increasing number of them are newcomers to the exhibition.

Companies like Nutriment Ltd will be making their first appearance at the show on September 14-15 and sales director Peter Nicholas said: “PATS provides the ideal environment to meet the business partners we most need to develop our business. New partnerships are crucial to the long-term success of the company. We will be showcasing our new range of treats and latest complete raw meals.”

Other new exhibitors to PATS Harrogate include Crystal Feeds, The Pet Business, PureFlax, Silverprint Pets, Microfibre Store, Countryside Products, Bartholomews, Wagytail, Oakdale Products and Spotless Punch.

Wagytail is a relatively new company producing hand-made dog fleeces and coats plus matching bandanas, collars and leads. “After visiting PATS Sandown in March we decided that exhibiting at Harrogate would be a fantastic opportunity for Wagytail to sign up new retailers and to advertise our products,” explained Laura Close, who runs the business with her sister Amy.

John Grant, of Oakdale Products, has been a regular visitor to PATS for several years and has now decided to exhibit for the first time. “Our full range of wild-bird care products will offer pet stores, buyers and online retailers strong sales opportunities in this ever popular category. We will showcase our new range of premium filled feeders alongside our autumn promotions aimed at the independent retailer.”

Grace Liddle, of PureFlax, is another visitor-turned-exhibitor. “I can’t believe how the show has grown over such a short length of time. Going to PATS Harrogate as an exhibitor will help to promote our product and give us the opportunity to inform people about.

“At the moment we have one product – flax oil. We grow, cold press and distribute the product from our farm in Yorkshire. Customers like the fact that our product is pure and effectively comes straight from the field. We hope to achieve more awareness about PureFlax and sign up new retailers,” said Grace.

An increasing number of overseas companies are choosing to exhibit at PATS and two Danish companies – Eldorado and Orbiloc – will be making their debuts.

Torben Bøgwad, of Eldorado said: “We have received a lot of requests from the UK, so we felt PATS would be the ideal place to meet retailers face to face. We will try to demonstrate how our iMARC pet tag engraver is a good way of making extra income.”

Robert Phillips has exhibited at the show in the past but at Harrogate in September he will be unveiling a new brand called Natural Choice Treats. “Our dog treats (sticks) are natural and gluten-free. We hope to find new customers and wholesalers, as well as promote the range to our existing customer base.”

As well as seeing new exhibitors at PATS Harrogate, visitors can expect a warm welcome from regulars like Beaphar UK, Bern Pet Food, The Company of Animals, Eurostitch, Group55, James & Steel, KONG, Mars Pet Care, Royal Canin/James Wellbeloved, and Wagg. With still over three months to go before the show opens, more than 130 companies have signed up to take part and showcase their products.

The exhibition will have the same layout as in 2013, using Halls B, C and M of Harrogate International Centre.

PATS Harrogate will also be full of popular visitor features, including the New Products Showcase and Awards, a full programme of free seminars, and the Grooming Workshop.

To see the full list of exhibitors and to register for free entry visit www.patshow.co.uk