Winning a New Product Award at the UK’s number one pet trade show can have a tremendous impact on the fortunes of a PATS exhibitor. It can help turn a new launch into a bestselling item in pet stores around the country and clinch that all-important export deal.

One of the main reasons why the Award is held in such high esteem is the fact it is decided be a panel of independent retailers, who know what it takes for a product to fly on the shelves.

Entries for the New Product Showcase and Awards, sponsored by pbwnews at PATS Telford, which takes place on September 23-24, are still flooding in as exhibitors get ready to showcase their latest launches to retailers and buyers from the UK and abroad.

Here Rik Cridland, from the innovative HayPigs company, who triumphed in the New Product Awards at PATS Telford in 2017, reveals what the accolade has done for his business.

How did you react to winning a New Product Award at PATS Telford?

We were obviously delighted to scoop the award. To win best new small animal product in our first year of trading was wonderful recognition for all the hard work and effort we'd put in behind the scenes.

Has the award helped your business?

Winning the award announced our arrival to the pet trade and raised the profile of our brand. We got lots of attention and well wishes, which was lovely. It just helps us in our ultimate goal of enriching the lives of small furries (and their owners) every day.

How have you used the win to promote the product?

Absolutely! The awards logo is now on all our marketing material and we are now able to introduce our product as the 'award-winning' HayPigs! Piggy Weightlifter. We certainly saw sales boasted because of it, so it was well worth entering!

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