The UK pet industry finally had the chance to celebrate in person during the announcement of the PetQuip Awards 2021 today (Sunday), when businesses were honoured for outstanding performance during a challenging period of lockdown restrictions.
A packed gathering of retailers and suppliers attended the awards presentations, which were held after the first day of PATS Telford.
The event, presented by PetQuip trade association manager Pat Flynn and PetQuip director general Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, included 12 gold and 11 silver awards, plus nine highly commended awards and a special Lifetime Achievement Award for Craig Taylor, chairman of Natures Menu.
Lifetime Achievement Award winner 2021 Craig Taylor
Two new categories – Innovations in Lockdown and Community Projects During a Crisis – were introduced this year to reflect how well pet companies and individuals have done in the face of adversity.
Also presented for the first time this year and sponsored by Group 55 was the Theresa Swann Trophy for Exporter of the Year, in memory of PetQuip’s former head of events & administration, who sadly died in December 2019.
At the close of the event, Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “The enjoyment evident on the faces of so many people from the industry at our event has made it all worthwhile. The association is proud to recognise all the hard work, innovation and teamwork demonstrated by our industry.
“In addition to seeing so many happy winners, it was really rewarding to witness everyone enjoying the fruits of their labours and the positive networking that took place between suppliers and buyers during the evening. We are already looking forward to our new style PetQuip Awards and party in 2022 and making plans to ensure that it will be a bumper year for the industry.”
WINNERS
Exporter of the Year (Theresa Swann Trophy)
Gold Award: Scruffs.
Silver Award: Clydach Farm
Highly Commended: ChickenGuard
The judges recognised that ‘the Scruffs team works hard to produce a full and exciting range of products, merchandised in eye-catching ways that appeal to countries worldwide’.
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Innovations in Lockdown
Gold Award: Tailor-Grace
Silver Award: Pawfect Foods
Highly Commended: Frozzys
The judges recognised Tailor-Grace’s innovative development of the Huskaloo ‘eco’ cat litter made from a sustainable source. They were also impressed with the company’s inventive marketing campaign, which included sponsorship of a sailing boat used by trainee scientists from under-privileged backgrounds to assess the impact of climate change off our shores.
Community Projects During a Crisis
Gold Award: Pets Country Manor
Silver Award: Forthglade
Highly Commended: C&D Foods
The judges recognised the efforts of Pets Country Manor, which worked hard for the welfare of cats during the pandemic. The team put together YouTube training sessions advising new owners on how best to introduce cats and kittens into a home and how to look after them. It has since opened a feline food bank in Merseyside, which is helping to feed abandoned pets following the lifting of restrictions..
Business Start-Up Award
Gold Award: Wyld Cub
Silver Award: Sniffe & Likkit
Highly Commended: The Green Poop Bag
The judges felt Wyld Cub had come a long way in a short space of time with ‘panache and flair’, not only in its marketing and promotional acumen, but also demonstrated in its wide business knowledge.
Business of the Year
Gold Award: The Eco Dog Design Company
Silver Award: C&D Foods
Highly Commended: Pedigree Wholesale
The judges said the ideals and values displayed by The Eco Dog Design Company shone through even though it was up against some of the industry’s big names.
Product of the Year – Accessories/Technical
Gold Award: Sniffe & Likkit – Scent-a-Message
Silver Award: Wyld Cub – reversible harness for dogs
Highly Commended: Pedigree Wholesale – AI poo bag holder and torch
The judges felt Sniffe & Likkit was ‘taking the industry by storm with its attractive, slightly different, scented products, which would sell well in a wide range of outlets, including garden centres’.
Product of the Year – Food
Gold Award: Eden Holistic – Semi-Moist Country Feast
Silver Award: Pedigree Wholesale – Natures Deli
Highly Commended: Walker & Drake – Cold Pressed Foods
The judges were instantly drawn to the packaging of Eden Holistic’s Semi-Moist Country Feast product, which stood out from its competitors. The product had excellent shelf appeal.
Product of the Year – Treats
Gold Award: Frozzys
Silver Award: Burgess Excel Nature Snacks
Highly Commended: Mealberry – Little One Green Valley Sticks
The judges were impressed by Frozzys’ new handy-sized four packs and updated packaging. They felt it would tempt new customers to try the frozen yoghurt range.
Product of the Year – Healthcare/Grooming
Gold Award: Tropiclean – PerfectFur range.
Silver Award: Sniffe & Likkit – Woof Pack
Highly Commended: Eden Holistic – Joint Support for dogs
The judges described Tropiclean’s PerfectFur range of six shampoos and one tangle remover as ‘gorgeous’.
International Retailer, Wholesaler or Distributor of the Year
Gold Award: Petzone, Middle East
Silver Award: Warmako BV, The Netherlands
The judges said Petzone stood out with its vision for the future and its pioneering attitude towards educating pet owners.
UK Retailer of the Year
Joint Gold Award: Just for Pets and Natural Cornish Pet
Silver Award: Chepstow Pet Supplies, Creature Comforts and Paws (an independent chain of three pet stores)
The judges decided on joint gold winners – an independent pioneering store known for all things natural, and a chain which had gone from strength to strength since being taken over four years ago.
Lifetime Achievement
Craig Taylor, chairman, Natures Menu
The judges felt Craig deserved this accolade for his outstanding service to the pet food industry. He has been at the forefront of the company’s success since he became managing director of Anglian Meat Products in 1992. He launched Natures Menu 15 years later and took the country by storm, before overseeing a management buy-out in 2012 and becoming chairman in February last year.
The 2021 PetQuip Awards were supported by APPA (American Pet Products Association), Natures Menu, Group55, James & Steel (Sotnos and Bam!), pbwnews and PATS Telford.
