Beco Poop Bags help top eco-pet firm to scoop major export award
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Beco Pets has become the first-ever winner of a new award at the GIMA Awards 2015, representing the UK’s Garden Industry Manufacturers Association.
The London-based firm, that sells its products to 43 countries around the world, won the PetQuip Export Achievement Award amid stiff competition from rivals, with judges saying they'd been “inundated” with entries.
One of the biggest sellers for Beco Pets in garden trade stores across the UK are their eco-friendly Beco Poop Bags, which are extra-strong, anti-tear and fully degradable. Beco Pets’ success in selling their bags around the world contributed to their overseas sales figures that so impressed the judges.
Beco’s focus on building strong relationships with distributors, especially in the US, helped sales double in the last year, exports making up 68 per cent of turnover, which also drew the attention of the GIMA adjudicating panel.
Today, Beco Pets Co-Founder Toby Massey (pictured above, second left) said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the PetQuip Export Achievement Award. We continue to focus heavily on our international markets which are continuing to grow, and we’re fortunate to have great distribution partners worldwide who work tirelessly to build the Beco brand.
“It makes all those trips abroad living out of a suitcase worthwhile, and being recognised by GIMA for our export achievements is fantastic news just before we head to Superzoo in the US next week.”
GIMA said: “When it came to the export category, the judges were inundated with entries from both garden and pet suppliers, with pet supplier entries matching garden suppliers entry for entry.
“As a result, the 2015 GIMA Awards included a newly introduced PetQuip Export Achievement Award. The winner of this award in its inaugural year was Beco Pets.”
The GIMA judges commented: “The judges selected Beco Pets due to its belief in building strong relationships with distributors, and its unrelenting hard work resulting in worldwide distribution in 43 countries. In the last year, the company has visited Canada, America, China, Australia and Europe, helping export sales to now account for 68 per cent of the company’s annual turnover.”
And GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, (pictured above, far left), added: “I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners. It’s been another tough year of judging, due to the incredibly high standard of entries.
“My sincerest congratulations to all our winners who are truly deserving of the accolade given to them. They have all demonstrated exceptional qualities, from cutting edge design to inspirational retail support.”
Six years after launching their company, Beco Pets, young British entrepreneurs, George Bramble and Toby Massey are now building strong relationships with distributors and retailers overseas. Last year they visited Canada, America, Europe, China and Australia, clocking up more than 100,000 air miles and spreading news of their products, which are all designed in Britain.
Beco aims to double its exports this year, moving into five new markets. In the US, their sales have experienced rapid growth after partnering with the world’s biggest distributor, Animal Supply.
Beco markets include Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, New Zealand, Iceland, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Portugal along with many others. Retail scalps include PETstock (Australia) Animates (NZ) Maxi Zoo (Italy), Stockmann (Finland), Woof Gang Bakery (US), Petland (Canada), Sagaflor (Germany) and Masque Pets SL t/a Kiwoko (Spain).
The company recently launched their 'Project Poop Bag' campaign (Campaign motto: 'We Love Poop!', logo pictured below), inviting independent pet retailers to register to become a Beco bag stockist.
Beco Co-Founder George Bramble (pictured below) said: “We started Project Poop Bag and so far we have had nearly 550 retailers sign up to the campaign. The results have been fantastic with more than 60 per cent re-ordering within a month. It’s clear that pet owners are looking for strong degradable poop bags in eco-friendly packaging, something our competitors don’t offer. The bags are even eco to the core – they have a recycled cardboard centre unlike competitor products that use plastic.”
As one of the UK's leading poop bag specialists, Beco Pets have sold a staggering 10 million bags to 15 countries around the world. With 8.5 million dogs in the UK, enterprising British entrepreneurs George Bramble and Toby Massey seized a gap in the market for bigger, stronger and more eco-friendly poop bags.
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