The 2014 Pet Industry Award winners were announced at a glittering awards dinner held on Thursday 23 October at the Whittlebury Hall Hotel, Northamptonshire, in front of 200 industry professionals.
Presented by boxing legend Frank Bruno MBE and organised by the Pet Industry Federation (PIF), the awards recognised entrepreneurial talent, commercial acumen and quality customer service in a range of pet businesses. The quality of this year’s shortlist was once again very high, with the judging panel having a hard job to decide upon a winner for each category.
The nation’s favourite pet products, as voted for by winners of Your Dog and Your Cat magazines, were also revealed on the night, with a handful of awards being presented to category winners across each magazine, including the PIF sponsored ‘Product I Can’t Live Without’ award.
The 2014 awards were sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickerbys, Jelf, PATS, Compton Hall, the Institute of Pet Professionals and PIF Telecom, with pre-dinner drinks sponsored by Burgess Petcare; and wine at dinner sponsored by Pedigree Wholesale. PBW News once again supported the event as the media sponsor.
The winners were:
Retailers of the Year – sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickerbys
- Poole Farm Feed Centre, Essex
- Pets Corner, Cheltenham
Manufacturer of the Year – sponsored by PATS
Danish Design
Wholesaler of the Year – sponsored by PATS
Pedigree Wholesale
Kennel or Cattery of the Year - sponsored by Pet Industry Federation
Pets Country Manor - Liverpool
Pet Service Business of the Year – sponsored by the Institute of Pet Professionals
Chase Pet Services – Burntwood, Lichfield
Grooming Business of the Year – sponsored by JelfKD Grooming Studio - Somerset
‘Your Cat’ magazine– The ‘Product I Can’t Live Without’ Award
Dreamies cat treats
‘Your Dog’ magazine - The ‘Product I Can’t Live Without’ Award
Dogmatic Headcollar
Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by PIF Telecom
John James – James & Steel Ltd
Pictured above: Lifetime Achievement Award winner, John James, receiving his award from Frank Bruno, flanked by Kevin Ryan and Derek Griffiths of PIF Telecom, sponsors of the Award.
Pictured below: Joint Retailer of the Year Awards winners, Stephen & Joanne Williams of Poole Farm Feed Centre, receive their Award from Frank Bruno.
The Awards took place against the backdrop of the Pet Industry Forum, which was packed with a fantastic line-up of speakers whose presentations were often engaging and interactive. Mark Berisford-Smith, Head of Economics, UK Commercial Banking, HSBC, provided a wonderfully fresh overview of the UK economy (making economic experts of the whole room!); and top US retail guru, Bob Phibbs, delivered a vibrant and funny workshop on how retailers can get the most out of visual merchandising. A selection of breakout sessions on a range of business related topics, and a speed networking session helped to complete the programme and make the most of delegates’ time at the Forum.
Forum Chair, Steve Fowler of PamPurred Pets said: ‘Two themes emerged from the event: firstly, the pet market has bucked the trend followed by so many other industries in recent years by actually continuing to grow despite the tough economic climate. Secondly, that pets are good for people and the industry should do more to spread that message and grow pet ownership. The pet industry is clearly in a remarkable position and the challenge now is to not waste that opportunity, but take advantage of it’.
PIF Chief Executive, Nigel Baker said: ‘Feedback from this year’s Forum & Awards has been very positive and we are very grateful for the generous support of all our sponsors and speakers, as well as the participation of stakeholders from all corners of the pet industry. As the UK’s trade association for all pet business, PIF is already looking at ways in which it can galvanise the industry and take forward some of the themes which emerged at the Forum to ensure that the pet industry moves up a gear and continues to thrive’.
The lead sponsors of the Pet Industry Forum were: Crown Petfoods, Mars Petcare, Nestle Purina and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Further details about the event can be found at www.piffa.co.uk
