In response to a burgeoning demand for their products, Polish pet food producer Dogs Plate has relocated its production operations to a new facility situated in Poznań, a strategic move on the western front of the country. Monika Sankowska, the production manager at Dogs Plate, disclosed to Petfoodindustry that the heightened interest in their offerings has necessitated a significant augmentation in production capabilities, compelling the company to undergo this change of address. The transition to the larger production facility was completed earlier this year.
In the preceding year, Dogs Plate expanded its product line, introducing several new items to its portfolio. Among these were dog food variants under the Protein + series, featuring innovative combinations such as insect-sourced protein paired with rabbit, duck, or turkey meat. Additionally, the company introduced specialized dog food catering to renal and hypoallergenic dietary needs, incorporating lamb and goat meat, alongside specialized cat food varieties comprising lamb, venison, and rabbit meat, among others.
“We are bolstering our production capacities this year, hence the move to a new production facility,” stated Sankowska. “This surge in production is aligned with our entire product range.”
Addressing future development prospects, Sankowska hinted at Dogs Plate’s contemplation of exporting their products, although emphasizing the present priority of fulfilling domestic market demands. “We aspire to present our offerings in European markets next year,” she added optimistically.
Meanwhile, across the English Channel, UK-based pet food manufacturer Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) is embarking on a substantial investment endeavor amounting to approximately £31 million (US$39.1 million). This investment is aimed at integrating new technologies to enhance manufacturing capacities and diversify potential product offerings.
Situated in North Yorkshire, IPN has earmarked over £6 million (US$7.5 million) for upgrading its wet food factory, with projections indicating a doubling of production capabilities. Concurrently, a significant portion of the investment, close to £25 million (US$31.6 million), will be allocated to the Thirsk plant in northern England. This investment is intended to bolster technical capacities, expand product portfolios, and augment the utilization of fresh ingredients, as reported by local news outlet thebusinessdesk.
Anthony Stones, Chief Operating Officer of Inspired Pet Nutrition, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable nutrition through this substantial investment. IPN, boasting annual sales of around £200 million (US$251 million), has set its sights on surpassing the £500 million (US$628.5 million) milestone in annual sales within the next five years.
“We’ve been refining our recipes and brand portfolio for a century now, continually striving for enhancements to cater to pet parents,” remarked Stones. “By investing in our technical capabilities and optimizing our supply chain, we can ensure better quality control over our recipes and enhance the traceability of our ingredients.”
Concurrently, IPN is expanding its technical team and will soon inaugurate a new laboratory to further bolster its research and development efforts. Among the notable brands under the UK company’s umbrella are Wagg and Harringtons.
In a burgeoning market halfway across the globe, Indian start-up The Pet Journey is making waves by advocating for raw dog food among local pet owners. Founder Sagar Badakere, drawing from over eight years of professional experience in the pet food industry, has been instrumental in introducing the concept of raw feeding to numerous Indian customers.
Badakere emphasized that while the majority of pet owners opt for highly processed kibble diets or table scraps, The Pet Journey aims to enlighten them about the benefits of raw feeding for dogs. “Dogs have evolved from wolves, and raw food aligns with their natural ancestral diet,” he remarked, shedding light on the company’s mission to promote canine health through raw feeding practices.
