Pedigree Wholesale, Pet Revolution, and HOWND were crowned winners at the PetQuip Awards in Telford last night.

The awards were presented at a glitzy party after the first day of PATS Telford.

HOWND won two awards – Marketing Project of the Year and Pet Product of the Year (Accessories), and Mark Hirschel said: "Tonight's achievements are beyond our wildest expectations. It is a tremendous feeling when all your hard work and perseverance pays off. We have been through a lot over the past few years but these awards more than make up for the tough times. I still can't believe what's happened."

Pedigree Whoelsale were voted Business of the Year before the company's founder Terry Brown was given a Lifetime Achievement Award. Son Steve said it had been a marvellous night for the Brown family, who had attended to pay tribute to Terry.

"We kept it a secret from my father," said Steve. "He had no idea he was going to receive this award but it is well deserved. He did a fabulous job in launching the company and setting the value, which I have carried forward in the business. For the company to win Business of the Year followed by my feather picking up such a prestigious award is absolutely amazing."

Terry Brown himself commented:"I had no idea I was going to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. I just thought it was great for the whole family to be together on such a fantastic occasion and see the company win Business of the Year, and then getting my own award was such a shock. I've been fortunate to enjoy every minute I've been involved in the pet industry."

Jaimie Gleave, of Paws & Claws pet shop, which was voted joint UK Pet Retailer of the Year, commented: "This honour means everything to us. For us it is recognition for seven year of hard work transforming an ailing pet shop into a thriving business."
 
Binatone won gold in the Pet Product of the Year (Health & Technical)  category  for its Scout Traks GPS system, and Joel Lucy said: "It's great to see the pet trade recognising the new technology side of the business. I'm overwhelmed to have received this award on behalf of Binatone."

The PetQuip Awards 2017

WINNERS

Business of the Year

Gold – Pedigree Wholesale

Silver – Natures Menu

Highly Commended - Forthglade

Exporter of the Year

Gold – Pet Revolution

Silver - Natures Menu

Highly Commended – Armitage Pet Care

Marketing Project of the Year

Gold – HOWND – Bring your dog to work day

Silver – Cotswold Raw

Highly Commended – The Dog Treat Company

Pet Product of the Year – 3 categories

Food & Treats

Gold - Verity & Voss (Oggi’s  Birthday & Christmas Gift Boxes)

Silver – Beco Pet (Free roaming wild boar with broccoli & pumpkin ethical food for dogs)

Highly Commended – Burgess (Excel long stem feeding hay)

Accessories

Gold – HOWND (All seasons natural skin, nose and paw balms)

Silver – Phoenox Textiles (pet mats range – new designs)

Highly Commended – Accapi (Ruffwear Front Range Harness)

Health & Technical

Gold – Binatone  (Scout Traks GPS system)

Silver – Pet Revolution (Natural flea & bug repellent)

International Pet Retailer/Distributor/Wholesaler of the Year

Gold – blue gray, s.r.o  (Petpark)

UK Pet Retailer of the Year

Gold – joint winners

Paws & Claws, Frodsham, Cheshire

Pet London, Wigmore Street, London

Silver – Pets Pantry, Warrington, Cheshire

Highly Commended – The Wandering Dog, Cullercoats, Tyne & Wear

Lifetime Achievement

Terry Brown