Innovation Award is just the tonic for Lintbells
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Lintbells, maker of high quality natural pet supplements, has received a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.
The company, which was established in 2006, is known for its commitment to improve the lives of dogs, cats and horses. Its health enhancing supplements are given to over 150,000 dogs in the UK alone, including this year's Crufts Best in Show.
It was the companys work in developing its YuMOVE brand that has primarily been responsible for the award in the innovation category. Its the culmination of many years of inspiration and perspiration.
The company was established in 2006 by John Howie and John Davies, who were determined to find a solution that worked when John Daviess Chocolate Labrador, Charlie, suffered joint problems and reduced mobility.
They discovered that around 70% of pet supplements were human equivalents, often of poor quality. There was clearly a gap for a high quality, affordable solution custom made for pets. The product that came out of that initial work was YuMOVE. Soon, Charlie was up on his feet and coping better than ever before.
Before the product came to market there was much more work to be done. Falling back on their backgrounds in science and technology, the duo applied rigorous scientific principles, developing a unique and detailed protocol that has since been used in the development of all Lintbells products.
Starting with a veterinary panel and consulting with experts, Lintbells also asks pet owners what they want. Scientific evaluation and ingredient sourcing are the next stages before the product is fully evaluated by vets and pet owners to ensure it performs.
Those rigorous trials, often take place in conjunction with research organisations and veterinary schools, such as the Royal Veterinary College, to prove the products make a difference to the pet thats visible enough to be noticed by the pet owner.
This attention to detail, which also extends to ethical sourcing of the highest quality ingredients, has paid off. YuMOVE is the number one veterinary joint supplement and the subsequent brand, YuMEGA Itchy Dog, which supports skin health, is now rated the UKs number one veterinary skin supplement.*
The two Johns passion for YuMOVE and the growing product range has meant that Lintbells has grown rapidly and now employs 45 people near Hitchin in rural Hertfordshire.
John Howie says everyone who works in the company is delighted by the award. "We have a great team of people who love pets and this award means so much to all of us. Being recognised for innovation, an area in which we invest a huge amount of time and effort, is especially welcome because it acknowledges that we are doing everything we can to ensure that our products help keep pets healthy and happy.
"A Queen's Award marks outstanding achievement by a UK company and is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed. As well as being responsible for an increasing number of waggy tails at home, the company also exports to more than 15 countries."
For more information about Lintbells and the YuMEGA range visit www.lintbells.com.
*Gfk VetTrak Sales Data, MAT values (February 2016)
Pictured (left to right): Co-founders John Howie and John Davies with Operations Director Nigel Pittman, accompanied by Welsh Springer Spaniel Pippa and Moroccan Mountain Dog Jasmine.
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