GA Pet Food Partners welcomed 238 independent pet businesses from 12 countries to its world-class manufacturing site, Plocks Farm in Chorley, Lancashire, for the highly anticipated GA Partner Event.
This annual event brought together like-minded pet specialists for an inspiring experience offering unmatched networking opportunities, behind-the-scenes insights into GA’s industry-leading production, and expert-led sessions focused on the latest developments in pet food.
Day 1 - Unrivalled Access to World-Class Production:
Guests embarked on an exclusive Freshtrusion HDP tour, led by GA’s expert team. From the cutting-edge laboratories and the £75 million Ingredients Kitchen to the extrusion plant and packing lines, attendees looked at the meticulous processes behind why GA makes and delivers the world’s finest pet food.
A special spotlight was placed on Peptide+, GA’s latest innovation, which was unveiled to Partners earlier this year. The tour also explored GA’s heritage and how each department works together for a better future.
In the evening, guests were treated to a locally sourced fine dining experience, three show-stopping Peptide+-inspired cakes, and an intimate fireside chat with GA’s Founder and Chairman, Roger Bracewell, who shared the personal vision behind GA’s commitment to its Partners.
Day 2 - Expert Insights and International Case Studies:
The second day transitioned into a seminar-style format, diving deep into science, strategy, and partner success stories.
- GA experts revealed the 4-year journey behind Peptide+, from market insights to the science to formulating the range.
- Attendees discovered the technical approach involved in producing hydrolysed food with high fresh meat content.
- Three GA Partners shared their inspiring growth stories from the UK, Ireland, and Italy—sparking fresh ideas for fellow independent pet businesses and offering real world success stories.
Adding further value, Yummypets, an industry-leading pet consumer research company, delivered a powerful session on meeting the needs of today’s pet owners and how independent businesses adapt to stay competitive.
Throughout the event, guests enjoyed surprises like a bespoke teacup and saucer illustrated with the GA Farmhouse and accompanied by a personal message of appreciation, celebrating the unique bond between GA and its Partners.
Chairman’s Reflection:
Overall, the GA Partner Event was a huge success. Roger Bracewell, Chairman of GA Pet Food Partners, said, “I would like to thank everybody who attended the 2025 GA Partner Event. We remain committed to supporting the independent pet specialists who are the beating heart of the pet food industry. It has been a fabulous couple of days with lots of opportunities and a chance for GA and our Partners to continue to develop our partnership."
What people said
- “I have been around most of the pet food factories in the UK and GA’s Plocks Farm is the best by a long way. “ – Carl from Healthy K9
- “The highlights were the passionate people, the family aspect and the quality of the labs. We appreciated the transparency of the manufacturing on the tour. We are leaving with more confidence to sell our own recipes.” – Gerry & Fiona Veerman from Veerman's Pets and Co
- “The scale of the factory, the expert stalls, the sense of family and the quality of the product all stood out for me. There is always something GA is improving on, it is impressive.” – Arthur Brown from Longleys Country Store
- “The seminar structure and content were ideal, I really enjoyed participating.” – Des Groome GymDog
- “The factory tour was a highlight for me; the technology, how clean it is and GA’s environmental sustainability and future projects all stood out. The dinner, networking and learning was also excellent.” – Michael Cairnduff from LMC Pet Foods Ltd
