Pet companies have been congratulating PATS, the UK’s number one pet trade exhibition which will be staging its 10^th Sandown show in March. 

Those firms who exhibited at the first PATS Sandown in 2009 agree that over the years the show has proved to be a great platform for launching new products and services.

And that’s one of the main reasons why they have appeared in every exhibition since and will again be exhibiting at PATS Sandown in Surrey on March 20-21.

The 10^th PATS Sandown will see more than 140 brands and companies showcasing their new products to a growing number of buyers, including pet retailers, garden centres and international businesses.

Inspired Pet Nutrition were the first company to book a stand with PATS in 2009 under the Wagg brand and they will be present at Sandown in 2018.

Trade Sales Director Ben Anderson said: ‘We have been at PATS since the start and have enjoyed every show. We had total confidence in the organisers from the beginning which is why we were the first exhibitor to sign up.

“The PATS team are experienced, knowledgeable, approachable and go out of their way to ensure the show is a success each and every year. 

“At IPN we believe in the concept of a trade show – how else can you fully display your entire range of products to your customers under one roof?  As our brands and ranges expand, we will continue to utilise the PATS event to showcase these to our customer base. 

“We’re looking forward to another successful 10 years and thanks to all the team at PATS for their hard work in organising such a well run trade show.”

Other companies to have attended every PATS Sandown since the start include: Antos, Barking Heads, Beaphar, Bern Pet Foods, Burns, Collarways, Earthbound, Fish 4 Dogs, Fold Hill Foods, Gor Pets, Hemmo, Hertford Shelving, Hills, Intelligent Retail, James Wellbeloved, Johnson’s Veterinary Products, Kennelpak, pbwnews, Pedigree Wholesale, Pet Gazette, Petlife, PetSafe, Pooch & Mutt, Royal Canin, The Bramton Company and Vitalin.

Many of these exhibitors were quick to congratulate the exhibition and reveal ways in which it has helped their business.

“Pedigree Wholesale are proud to have supported the PATS team from the outset. The show is an excellent platform for showcasing new products and brands, as well as meeting both existing and new customers from the specialist independent pet trade. The quality of visitors is excellent and we are always delighted with the high number of worthwhile enquiries we get at each show.” Ann Hodson, Pedigree Wholesale.

"Collarways have exhibited with PATS since the beginning, using both Sandown and Telford to launch new ranges to the market in the best way possible. The exhibitions are a fantastic way to get instant feedback from the most important people to us – our customers. Winning a New Product Award on numerous occasions has also paid huge dividends. We love the atmosphere at the shows and look forward to catching up with customers, peers and even our competition. PATS is one of the highlights of the year." Katie Goldsmith, Collarways.

“PATS has always been an integral part of our yearly exhibition calendar at Petlife. Both shows offer us as a company the best possible platform to launch new products to the wider trade – much of which we sometimes wouldn’t have access to – whilst also giving us the perfect opportunity to showcase our existing range of products. With such a diverse visitor demographic to both venues, PATS has enabled us to sign up countless new customers over the years – including multinationals, UK based chains, independent retailers and many more. We will definitely continue to exhibit at both PATS Shows for many years to come.” James Hancock, Sales & Marketing Director, Petlife.

“Antos have been exhibiting at PATS since it began. It is an integral part of our marketing and growth plans for the year. It is the best opportunity for us to meet as many of our customers and potential new customers face to face in one place over two days. The shows have grown and improved year on year and the growth in international visitors has been considerable over the past few years. The quality of customer is also good at both shows. The organisers are proactive and keen to improve PATS each year."

Antoon Murphy, Managing Director, Antos.

"I can't believe that it has been almost a decade since Pooch & Mutt first exhibited at the first ever PATS show. The industry has changed a lot in that time, and I would like to think that both PATS and Pooch & Mutt have driven a lot of that change, from very different angles. PATS has definitely played its part in Pooch & Mutt's continued success." Guy Blaskey, Founder, Pooch & Mutt.

“Bern Pet Foods have found PATS to be a great platform for our range of products. It also allows us to connect with our trade customers and build relationships with potential stockists. PATS supports us in promoting our brands’ mission and vision of providing Biologically Appropriate foods for all dogs and cats.” Jackie Osman, Bern Pet Foods.

“Hertford Shelving tried PATS as a ‘one-off’ and had such a successful show that we just kept going. Each year I have picked up many leads that have resulted in sales of my shelving products and accessories, plus complete ‘fit-outs’ of pet shops, animal feed outlets and garden centres. Working with Impact Exhibitions has been fun and easy as they are such a great team and are always available to help.” Steve Lodge, Hertford Shelving.

“PATS has been at the forefront of pet specialty for the past decade and has been a fantastic forum for Fold Hill Foods to launch new products to the trade. Sandown and Telford are the two key shows where we focus on bringing new launches to the market. They give us a great opportunity to speak to our existing customers and to sign up new ones to our family of brands of Laughing Dog, Chewdles and Pointer. We look forward to the next decade of success.” Ben Mankertz, Commercial Manager, Fold Hill Foods Ltd.

“PATS has been a crucial part of PetSafe’s marketing calendar for the past few years and has no doubt contributed to our UK growth. The shows have been great forums to test concepts, launch new products and sign-up new customers, as well as deepen our relationships with existing contacts. We’re really looking forward to PATS Sandown 2018 and can’t wait to show the trade the new products that will be coming to market this year.” Rob Steele, International Marketing Manager PetSafe Brand.

A full list of exhibitors can be found on the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk where buyers can also register for free entry to the exhibition.