Pet trade suppliers Battles and Trilanco have pledged to focus on customer service as integration of the two businesses gets underway.
DC Holdings (Lincoln), the parent company of Battle Hayward & Bower, acquired Trilanco last month, strengthening its position in the equine, pet and animal health markets. The combined business said that customers, distributors and brand partners can expect business to proceed as usual for the immediate future under the new group led by managing director Richard Dewey Clarke.
Dewey Clarke said a period of positive integration will follow over the coming months as wholesale operations will be consolidated at the Wesham distribution centre in Lancashire, while manufacturing and brand management will remain in Lincoln.
He added: “We’re bringing the best of both businesses together, learning from each other. We’ve a great facility in Wesham with capacity and capability, so are looking to leverage that, and get all the efficiencies from the distribution centre. We’re looking to move the wholesale operation that was at Lincoln Battles into here, by the end of April.”
Martin Balmer, Trilanco’s managing director, said: “Richard and I both recognised that the market was changing, with challenging supply chains and customers consolidating. We knew we needed to adapt and change ourselves. The commercial rationale for putting the two businesses together focuses on operational synergies; we continue to experience a huge amount of cost inflation – as do our customers – and yet there hasn’t been price inflation in terms of the products.”
Mr Balmer added that in the modern world of internet and technology, “old fashioned” good customer service remains vitally important.
He added: “Customers want choice and they want great service. We will make sure that customers are informed about the products, the ranges and the service, and act as a ready-made route to market for new brand owners. How does a pet supplier, get a product to 2,500 customers? They knock on our door.”
