Understanding the 'new' consumer demand that was booming and changing after the pandemic, Premier Tech was in the field, listening to its customer voices, and was committed to making it a reality. Through strategic adjustments in sales coverage, operations, and service support, Premier Tech LATAM has become one of the fastest-growing regions globally. Since 2022, they have seen remarkable growth, with 2023 marking their best year since establishing their first manufacturing facility in Brazil in 2015, followed by Mexico in 2017.

 

- How does Premier Tech incorporate sustainability into its technological advancements and business practices?

 

- Premier Tech is committed to continuously advancing sustainability, embedding it into every facet of our operations. From developing energy-efficient technologies to utilizing recyclable materials and minimizing waste, we design solutions that not only boost productivity but also reduce environmental impact. By supporting a circular economy and extending the lifespan of our products, we are dedicated to building sustainable processes that contribute to a greener future. Our commitment is reflected in both our technological innovations and environmental preservation initiatives, as we strive to make progress every day.

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The interview - Scott Krebs, President of Wenger Group

 

- What roles do innovation and research play in maintaining Premier Tech's competitive edge in the technology industry?

 

- Research and innovation are at the heart of Premier Tech's strategy. The company operates advanced laboratories and multidisciplinary teams dedicated to developing new technologies that enable greater automation, precision, and sustainability in industrial processes. By continuously focusing on R&D, Premier Tech stays ahead of market trends such as digitalization and Industry 4.0, offering solutions that not only enhance efficiency but also create long-term value for our clients, while remaining committed to environmental sustainability, keeping Premier Tech at the forefront of the global technology industry.

 

- How do you see technology developing in the pet food industry?

 

- The pet food industry is transforming significantly, with a growing demand for wet and highly customized products. Premier Tech, attuned to these changes, is already developing end-of-line equipment specifically to meet the rising demand for wet products, offering solutions that ensure flexibility and efficiency in packaging processes. Additionally, with a focus on comprehensive customer service, the company invests in technologies that enhance quality, sustainability, and process automation, keeping Premier Tech at the forefront of innovation in the sector.

 

- What are the most significant challenges for the company these days?

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- One of the biggest challenges faced by the industry is balancing the need to handle a wide variety of SKUs while maintaining operational efficiency. Although some solutions offer flexibility to manage this diversity, they do not always guarantee the continuous efficiency of production lines, which can lead to higher maintenance and operational costs in the long run. At Premier Tech, our focus is on providing robust and reliable equipment that ensures maximum productivity, regardless of the SKU complexity. We are committed to helping our clients keep their operations efficient and competitive, backed by a strong after-sales support system dedicated to their production success.

 

- From your experience, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for the whole industry in the coming years?

 

- The biggest challenge will be adapting to emerging technologies while staying sustainable. The rapid digital transformation, driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven solutions, is reshaping the future of industries. As companies embrace these advancements, they are also under increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact. Achieving this will require significant investments in innovation and a comprehensive restructuring of industrial operations. Balancing technological innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency will be a key challenge in the coming years.

 

- What is the company currently working on for the near future?

 

- Premier Tech is constantly investing in innovations that enable greater automation, flexibility, and efficiency. The company is developing new equipment that responds to emerging market demands, such as technologies that support sustainable packaging and more agile production lines. Premier Tech is also integrating AI, connected machines, and robotic solutions into its portfolio, driving even greater advancements in automation and smart manufacturing.

 

Additionally, Premier Tech Systems and Automation has recently launched a new training offering designed to help clients enhance the performance and profitability of their Chronos™ equipment. This training program is part of the company's exploration of innovation, combining both new and existing training modules into a unique commercial offer that provides comprehensive support for clients. These new commercial offers reflect Premier Tech's commitment to value creation, focusing on both tangible and intangible aspects, and reinforcing the foundation of its innovation approach.

 

Source: All Pet Food Magazine

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Intervies

Interviews The interview - Scott Krebs, President of Wenger Group

5+ MIN

05/08/2024

The interview - Scott Krebs, President of Wenger Group

Scott, tell us a little bit about your professional career and how you arrived and rose to your current position at Wenger Group.   lived most of my life in Sabetha, Kansas, which has an incredible amount of industry professionals per capita. One of those industries in my hometown happens to be the Wenger Group. Because Sabetha is centrally located among many US pet food producers, I was aware of the pet food industry at a young age. always loved our companion animals and our family currently has three Australian shepherd-husky mix breeds that are truly part of my family. I obtained a mechanical engineering degree from Kansas State University and promptly returned to my hometown. I was an associate at Extru-Tech, Inc. for 32 years gaining knowledge in the various fields of project engineering, international sales, and brand management. I was honored to be appointed as President of Wenger Group in June 2023.   How does your background in the pet food industry help you lead the Wenger Group?   Process Solutions with emphasis on extrusion cooking, drying, coating, and cooling – especially for pet foods and treats – has been a passion for my entire 33-year career. Throughout that time, I've been fortunate to work with some incredibly knowledgeable extrusion cooking experts and some of the most forward-thinking and well-managed pet food producers in the world. From early in my career, I understood the importance of listening intently to understand customer needs, wants, and desires and collaboratively reaching solutions that meet their goals.   Wenger's corporate focus is to provide customers with an 'unparalleled customer experience.' Although Wenger is a well-established and trusted name in the industry, we cannot be content with past success. Our customers face market and competitive challenges, and we must stay ready with updated solutions that can enable our customers to be successful.   What do you think is the current main challenge among Latin American producers?   see a growing opportunity in this region for foods and treats with higher levels of fresh meat content, unique inclusions, and increased palatability. Achieving these types of products requires a more advanced knowledge of extrusion cooking and drying. Our customers can enjoy first-mover advantages by working with nger to produce unique (and higher value) products for their market. Demand for traditional kibble will continue to be strong, but producers who can offer a wider range of foods and treats within a single flexible equipment architecture can be even more successful in Latin America.   How can producers know whether to use twin-screw or single-screw extruders for pet food or treats?   The answer to this starts with knowing the types of desired product characteristics (now and in the future). A single screw extruder is the workhorse in the industry around the globe. They are very effective for high volumes of established products while at the same time offering variability in recipe management. However, if a customer wants to create many different types of foods and treats - with at times even further ingredient and processing flexibility - from the same extruder, then we may suggest twin screw technology. The decision is not about which technology is better because both deliver on metrics all companies measure such as safety, performance, and quality, but rather about the selection of the correct tool to accomplish the customer's current and future states of their business model.   It's also important to note that choosing the right holistic process solution (including drying, coating, cooling, and process controls) should be considered as an equally important decision to that of the extrusion system alone. For that reason, Wenger Group employs many process solution experts who were former customers utilizing extrusion technology. Our Process Group SMEs (subject matter experts) are equipped through education, experience, and frankly the 'school of hard knocks' that provide valuable insight into various available integrated process solutions.   What new initiatives are the Wenger teams focused on?   As part of our overall customer experience initiative, we are focused on technology innovation, manufacturing excellence, and expanding our process knowledge. We are designing and commercializing many offerings including the new PetFLEX™ extrusion system, improved control systems complemented with data analytics, and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) overlay for Wenger extruders and dryers. We also have decarbonization modifications for dryers including the use of high temperature heat pumps. In manufacturing, we are implementing processes to decrease lead times while enabling us to use newer, more sustainable materials. Wenger's reputation for extrusion process expertise is well deserved, but we stay diligent in understanding the changing demand for ingredients (including alternative proteins), palatability requirements, shapes, textures, and coatings. As we partner with customers, we try first to understand their needs, wants, and desires – and then we refine and/or recommend processes and hardware accordingly to meet and often exceed those expectations.   How do you support customer Research & Development?   Wenger customers (globally) are constantly developing new products to be successful. Enabling customer R&D has been core to our company for over 60 years, mostly through the Wenger Technical Center, located in Sabetha. For decades, producers of extruded pet food, aquatic feed, and human food have used the Technical Center to confidentially develop new product ideas in a facility with production-scale equipment. This is important because products developed in a small-scale test lab may not translate well into a full-size extrusion system. Plus, at the Technical Center, customers have access to the Wenger process team that can help with ingredient selection, process variables, extrusion parameters, and other critical aspects. We've been told numerous times that the Wenger team helped a customer achieve something they probably couldn't have done on their own at scale and speed to execution. As mentioned earlier, it is woven into our DNA to provide an 'Unparalleled Customer Experience' in all aspects of our business. We are a passionate, caring group that is honored to assist our customers!   What market trends do you see emerging over the next 5 years?   Globally, the trends for pet foods will include more variability in ingredient selection, breed-specific diets, increased palatability, increased nutrition, and treats with unique shapes, colors, and fills that all add to our companion animal's life-long well-being. Pet food producers – like most companies – also have sustainability initiatives and responsibilities that will demand technology solutions that reduce energy usage and are carbon-smart. Processing flexibility & agility will be paramount. Customers want to produce multiple products, with unique ingredients, on the same equipment, and with the same set-up, if possible, to optimize uptime. In other words, producers will increase their product offerings while decreasing production costs. Here at the Wenger Group, we embrace the challenge, and we look forward to working with our customers on these opportunities.   Source: All Pet Food Magazine

Interviews The interview - Sonia Franck

4+ MIN

29/05/2024

The interview - Sonia Franck

How can you describe your role in the Pet Food Industry?   Since joining the pet food industry as Secretary General of FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood, I have recognised the value of my experience in the pharmaceutical industry and the number of useful links. Fundamentally, both industries share a common goal of promoting health and well-being. The pet food industry is a dynamic sector that continuously strives to meet the evolving nutritional needs and preferences of our pets. Staying abreast of scientific research, safety, market trends and consumer demands is something to which I am accustomed. The expertise I gained in the pharmaceutical sector will support my contribution to the ongoing efforts to ensure that Europe's 340 million pets receive nutritious and safe pet food.   I must also note that personally, I have always been passionate about rescuing pets and am committed to advocating for pet welfare. My move to the pet food industry has not been a surprise to my former colleagues and friends! I have now aligned my career with my experience and passion for pet welfare. I am truly excited about the value I can bring to the European Pet Food Industry.   How would you describe your job as Secretary General of IML Innovative Medicines in Luxembourg?   I am extremely proud of my work at IML, the voice of the private research-based pharmaceutical industry active in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Through IML's representation of 64 global companies, the association encourages therapeutic innovation in medicines for human use. Here I played a key role in transforming the association. We worked hard to develop and introduce a new five-year strategy; we restructured its management and diversified revenue streams. My primary objective at IML was to enhance the industry's visibility and have a positive impact on public health. This is one of the many key experiences, which I know will help shape and bring value to my work in the pet food industry.   How did you receive your new role as General Secretary at FEDIAF?   Although I have only been in my role at FEDIAF for one month (at the time of writing this interview!), I am already enjoying being immersed in a busy team. In fact, one aspect that particularly excites me is the opportunity to lead, build and guide a small team of dedicated colleagues in Brussels. To remind your readership, our team looks after the needs of our membership, which includes 15 European national pet food associations, together with five pet food manufacturers operating in Europe. We estimate that this equates to around 150 pet food companies (200 plants) across Europe, producing 10.5 million tonnes of pet food. This is a big responsibility for our team and one that I am embracing as the new Secretary General.   What do you think are the main challenges in this position?   My main challenge will be to support the team and deliver the 'asks' outlined in our Manifesto and three pillars. Here we highlight our challenges and objectives. Our first pillar is to ensure the supply of nutritious products across Europe. We will continue to collaborate with authorities, regulators, and academics to ensure our members are able to continue in their supply of safe, nutritious, and palatable products. We will work closely with experts to update our Nutritional Guidelines, and Labelling Code, and also bring new, expert-written factsheets on a wide range of nutrition topics.   Our second pillar is to promote the benefits of pet interaction and responsible pet ownership. We highlight the key role of nutrition in pet welfare. This year, we have welcomed the proposed animal welfare legislation and will continue to monitor its progress. A key focus of our work is to contribute to the Pet Alliance Europe, our collaboration with AnimalhealthEurope, FECAVA and FVE where our combined voices are stronger in the promotion of pet welfare messages. This year we will also be promoting the wealth of scientific research proving the benefits of pets in terms of human health.   Thirdly, we are committed to sustainability from farm to bowl - the responsible use of resources and minimising our environmental impact. Therefore, we are monitoring various environmental developments at the EU and a national level. We are actively working on the packaging and packaging waste regulation proposal, and we continue to promote the importance of Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology for the pet food sector, especially in the context of discussion on green claims. This methodology is key to a harmonised framework and supporting consumers.   How do you see the pet food industry nowadays?   The European pet food industry is critical to the health and well-being of Europe's 340 million pets. There are around 127 million cats, 104 million dogs, 53 million birds, 29 million small mammals, 22 million aquaria and 11 million terraria, to be precise! As the number of pets grows, so does our Industry. Annual sales of pet food products are around 29.1 billion euros, and this is a growth of 5.1%. In volume terms, the pet food market has also grown 3.5% and is currently 10.5 million tonnes. You can read more about European data in our Facts & Figures report.   And what do you think is the most important problem to be addressed this year?   With my arrival coinciding with the EU elections, I recognised that there would be challenging files to tackle. The dynamic landscape of the European Union presents a host of complex issues that require thorough analysis and diligent work. However, I am eager to take on these challenges, leveraging my experience and expertise to contribute to the advancement of the pet food industry and the well-being of pets. I will continue to advocate for its interests amid evolving regulatory and political environments.   It will be an exciting year!   For more information, please visit www.europeanpetfood.org or contact [email protected]   Source: All Pet Food Magazine. 

Interviews The interview - Juan Gomez-Basauri

4+ MIN

25/01/2024

The interview - Juan Gomez-Basauri

1. Which challenges have you faced in your professional career? There are different and varied challenges during each stage of a professional career, from moving to a new place, or a new city, leaving old friends and colleagues, making new friends and colleagues, balancing work, and family, to learning very quickly from mistakes and understanding new cultures. I think most of us will have gone through one or the other, but the way we face each of them is what makes the difference, what makes us who we are. It's what defines us. 2. Why did you make the decision to open your own technology consulting business in 2023? My style has always been to be highly entrepreneurial, especially when it comes to positioning new technologies and innovations in the market.
I was very fortunate that, in previous roles, my responsibility was to be that of a business champion, that is, leading the charge for new products and technologies, building from scratch, as we would say. However, there comes a time when one needs to step out of their comfort zone if there is a desire to keep growing both professionally and personally. That's the reason why I founded Magellan LLC. 3. What are your company's goals? Magellan LLC is a business dedicated to providing innovative, science-based technologies and consultative solutions to the agri-food, nutrition, and human and animal health businesses. 4. What solutions do you provide and why? The key is how you listen to your customers and answer their needs, which will define the solution and the service.
From product innovation to the design and execution of research projects, through the development and application of new bioactive and nutritional compounds, we listen extremely well to the needs of our clients and respond to them. 5. What's your vision about the pet food industry development in the upcoming years? The pet food business is an exciting area, but, like any other industry, it is bound to change, to evolve.
There is a close connection between people and their pets. We care about them as much as we care about ourselves. There is an emotional component in the bond between human beings and animals. The industry will strive to find new, functional, and proven nutritional technologies and new feeding formats in order to provide health and well-being to our companion animals because they are part of our families. 6. How do you think trendy topics, such as sustainability and product customization, are being addressed by the market? Sustainability is a driving force for business. However, how much of what we are actually doing is truly sustainable? Sustainability must include environmental, social, and economic factors. Everyone must do their part, as we are all linked, we are all connected as individuals and companies, from transportation to packaging, from supply chain to life cycle assessment, and with full transparency in all processes.
Companies must encourage and embrace innovation to find better technologies and processes that can be truly sustainable, and that, in the end, is what will make a difference. 7. In your experience, what will be the most significant challenges during 2024? I'd say change and disruption and how we adapt to them, from raw materials and supply chain challenges to changing consumer spending patterns, to name a few. The market is evolving, and companies will have to adapt and do it quickly. This, in turn, will accelerate innovation and provide opportunities for launching new products and services. 8. What trends you could say will growth the most? Predicting specific trends involves a certain degree of uncertainty. However, several trends are shaping the pet food market and will continue to evolve in the coming years.
As we mentioned before, sustainability and transparency are some of them. We will continue to see advances related to microbiome diets and the health benefits they bring will be the basis for personalized diets and foods. Interest in alternative sources of protein and energy will increase. Cellular agriculture and its applications will find their market niches. We should not discount AI (artificial intelligence) and how this technology will be a game-changer in the pet food industry. Currently, from his technology and consulting business, Magellan LLC, Juan continues the legacy of what, he affirms, he has been fortunate to receive throughout his professional path: 'Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have good mentors and people who believed in me, from my parents and family to my teachers during my college years and professional career. That is what I have practiced and will continue to strive for with Magellan LLC.'   Source: All Pet Food Magazine.

Interviews Interview to Zach Bearson- Cozzini Marketing Director

1+ MIN

29/12/2023

Interview to Zach Bearson- Cozzini Marketing Director

Zack Bearson took his time to introduce the company and equipments as well as its solutions for the pet food sector and producers, in Latin America. Cozzini has a geat reputation within the sector and are currently market leaders in pet food systems, badging and delivery of ingredients and many other services like emulsion preparation equipment.     Please don´t miss the opportunity to know more about this exciting company and its novel solutions intended for pet food producers.   By: All Pet Food  

Interviews Interview to Vanni Antonello - Application Manager at GEA Group

3+ MIN

22/12/2023

Interview to Vanni Antonello - Application Manager at GEA Group

Under what premise and purpose does GEA currently work and design products and services? At the heart of GEA's services and products lies the customer, with their expectations, needs and product. That is the main goal when designing our systems and, in so doing, we set ourselves apart from other market players while keeping a special focus on the following: Design: Utmost flexibility: in today's rapidly evolving market, it is more necessary than ever to be able to rely on highly flexible systems and machinery designed to meet our customers' current and future needs. A single technology partner: having a single contact person during the key stages of the process, from handling raw materials to packaging, involves working with specialists who can solve the various issues that arise and transfer their knowledge to their customers' staff. Tailormade approach: customers have various requirements, but by drawing on its expertise in designing and manufacturing systems and machinery, GEA can meet customer demands promptly and efficiently. Service: The extensive network of GEA enables our sales staff and specialist technicians to support our customers at all times and provide assistance at short notice. In addition, we offer customer service packages such as: Health check: one of our specialized technicians will visit the plant twice a year to inspect its condition and maintenance, check operational efficiency, and recommend which spare parts need to be ordered depending on machine conditions (in this day and age, unplanned downtime is a cost that must be absolutely avoided). Differentiating service offering with various packages: bronze, silver and gold, with an increasing number of services that can be agreed with the customer in order to keep the costs of routine maintenance and, at higher levels, extraordinary maintenance under control.   According to your vision and experience, what is the key to a successful process in pet food? Reliability, sustainability and automation. These three elements are what make the difference in a competitive market such as the Petfood market. Reliable machinery, which enables customers to obtain quality product without production downtime to avoid profit loss. Sustainability, which is to be achieved by using energy-efficient systems. And state-of-the-art automation, which allows the parameters of the system to be promptly adjusted in order to maximize its output.   How do you see medium-term development in the pet food processing area? Flexibility will become increasingly crucial for making strategic choices regarding products and, consequently, technology as well. The petfood market is increasingly influenced by trends that are driven by taste preferences as well as dietary and medical/care requirements. Pet food can no longer be considered merely as food, but rather as a supplement to medical treatment that can be used to address animal health problems, and is highly recommended by vets.   What proposals will the company present in terms of innovation in 2024? When it comes to technological advances, GEA focuses not only on researching new machinery but also on solutions that can improve the current state of the art, so that we can equip our customers with the means to keep up with the latest market trends. With this approach in mind, GEA is making major investments in sustainability by developing energy-saving solutions that consume less water, as well as in automation by developing sensors which, by incorporating artificial intelligence, will allow customers to make their systems more productive and autonomous.   Source: GEA Group

Interviews The Interview – Lucas Cypriano

5+ MIN

16/11/2023

The Interview – Lucas Cypriano

Dear Lucas, to begin, could you tell us about the positions you currently hold in ABRA and WRO? What was the path taken to reach both positions? What are the main activities carried out in each of them? Since I graduated in 1998 as a Zootechnician until I started working at ABRA, I have always worked with the microbiological safety and quality of ingredients and animal feed. In 2011, I started working at ABRA as a Technical Coordinator. Since then, I have been helping companies with sector regulations, proposing adjustments to current standards, developing the AATQ Hygienic Manufacturing Program for Animal Meals and Fats (ABRA Qualidade), training technicians, and teaching courses for the sector. In 2012, ABRA nominated me to represent the association in the WRO, and in 2013 I was invited to be part of the SAP/WRO (Scientific Advisory Panel). In 2019, New Zealand invited me to take on the role of the first WRO Vice President that would be filled by them. And between 2019 and 2021, I was the first Vice President of the WRO. In 2021, I was elected President of WRO, remaining in that position until June 2023, when I was, again, invited to take on the role of WRO Technical Director, a position I currently hold alongside ABRA Technical Coordinator. Fun fact: in my personal life, I have been a Norwegian Forest cat breeder since 2008: I attest daily to what quality animal flour and fat, in a balanced diet, can do for our friends. The slaughter of animals generates parts that, for cultural reasons, characteristics of animal tissue, or regulatory ones, cannot be used for human consumption. For example, in many societies, they no longer consume: Liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, blood, tendons, cartilage, and other tissues, despite being very rich in nutrients. Feathers, hair, bristles, skin, and scales, among other tissues that have reduced nutritional value in their original form. Our sector recycles all these unconsumed tissues, processing them with technologies appropriate for each tissue, either maintaining or improving their excellent intrinsic nutritional value or subjecting them to technological processes that allow the use of nutrients such as, for example, through the action of enzymes or cooking under high pressure and temperature, which means exposing the nutrients and allowing their absorption. In all countries where WRO operates, the sector is highly regulated, with manufacturing and environmental rules that mean sourcing ingredients that are not only nutritious but also extremely safe.   Based on the transformation process described above, could you tell our readers what ingredients are generated for pet food production? Are new products being developed? The pet food manufacturing sector stands out for using the noblest and palatable ingredients manufactured by our sector, such as flour (processed protein) from poultry and pork viscera, blood meal, plasma, red blood cells, pork rind flour, fish meal, poultry oil, and fish oil. If we imagine that, in nature, carnivorous predators first consume the thoracic viscera (heart, liver, lungs) and others (kidneys, spleen, pancreas, mesenteries) rich in nutrients, these are exactly the parts most present in the raw and key material of the flour purchased by the pet sector. But it doesn't stop there: we know that dogs and cats love the taste of fried skin (chicharrón flour), and this is another ingredient widely used in diets. For physical reasons, in the process of manufacturing food kibbles, it is sought to prevent the material from being extruded from being rich in fats. Therefore, feed manufacturers add animal fats to the kibbles after extrusion, which, in addition to providing energy, brings an important benefit: a pleasant taste! Therefore, the rendering sector works alongside the pet food industry to offer our friends the best for our pets. Proof of this is the surprising increase in dog life expectancy, and especially of cats as strict (obligatory) carnivores. 20 years ago, a cat lived an average of 6 to 10 years. Nowadays, due to several factors, mainly current diets, it is common to see cats that reach the age of 20 healthy, something very rare in the past.   Considering the global problem of food waste, what are the multiple benefits generated by transforming it to reuse it and, therefore reducing it? Does this sustainable recycling process resemble the 'circular economy' production process? You see, the objective of any animal sacrifice is the production of products intended for human consumption, and slaughterhouses seek to improve their performance every day. What the recycling industry does is prevent this waste from being produced: we safely, responsibly, and sustainably process and recycle all animal tissues not wanted for human consumption. Regarding the concept of circular economy, FAO is currently designing it better. It is still unclear whether the pet food sector would be a circular economy, since once used in this type of food, this nutrient will never return to the chain. If flour and fat are used to feed poultry, pigs, and fish, part of these nutrients can be consumed as food for humans or recycled again in slaughter, considering the concept of circularity. However, animal meals and fats are among the most sustainable ingredients available to the pet industry: our products' carbon footprint is smaller than that of many "traditional" sources.   Without a doubt, renderers contribute positively to local, national, and international economies. How do you see the Rendering market currently in your country of residence? And what percentage of total production is destined for pet food? I am from Brazil, and the national rendering sector went through a major technological revolution during the 2000s. Locally, the sector contributes almost 60,000 direct jobs and a GDP of something close to 5 billion dollars, generating local opportunities, reducing environmental impacts, and avoiding raw materials waste with excellent nutritional value. Today, the sector has learned to segregate raw materials from slaughter, delivering the best of our products to the pet food sector. Today, in absolute volumes, the main market for our products still is manufacturing feed (58.2%) for monogastric animals (poultry, pigs, fish, shrimp, etc.) raised in Brazil. The pet food market is the second buyer (13.8%), with biofuels in third place (13.1%) and the cleaning and hygiene sector (10.3%) as the fourth one. Exports and other industries correspond to only 4.7% of the destinations of our products.   We want to thank you very much for your time and for all the information shared that will undoubtedly be very useful for those who are part of the pet food industry. Source: All Pet Food Magazine

Interviews Interview with Kimberly Nelson President of kemin Nutrisurance

1+ MIN

01/09/2023

Interview with Kimberly Nelson President of kemin Nutrisurance

Kimberly gives an overview about the future of the pet food industry in terms of nutrition and nutritional ingredients for pets, as well as the way we should deal with the well being for our pets. Don´t miss the Interview:   by All Pet Food  

Interviews Interview with Sebas Van Den Ende - General Manager of VICTAM

7+ MIN

28/07/2023

Interview with Sebas Van Den Ende - General Manager of VICTAM

This issue's interviewee is Sebas Van Den Ende, General Manager at VICTAM. Let's meet the man that has launched one of the most important events of the pet food industry. He started his professional career at the Marketing Department of a Packaging company in the Netherlands, and later, at the same company, he changed his role as Export Manager for Latin America. In 2000, he made his first steps in the world of exhibitions as he started as Event Manager at Amsterdam RAI, the biggest exhibition organizer in the Netherlands, while he kept organizing events in Brazil and Mexico.   How did you start with VICTAM? What's (or has been) your biggest challenge as the General Manager? After 5 years of working with events and exhibitions for a company, I moved to Brazil, where I launched the Latin American Branch of the RAI Group, but, unfortunately, just after the office was launched, a management switch changed strategic vision, and the Brazilian office was not needed anymore. By then, in 2006, I saw big opportunities in Brazil, so I decided to stay in Brazil and launched our own exhibition company. This was the right time at the right place, as Brazil was booming and got the attention because of attracting the World Cup 2014 and the Olympics 2016. In a short time, we built a portfolio of successful events and the developments in Brazil, drew the attention of international event organizers, and eventually, we sold our company to one of them. After the required management handover period, we decided to return to the Netherlands in the beginning of 2018. After some side steps, I felt like returning to the event industry, and exactly at that time, VICTAM came along. Even though the industries for animal nutrition and grain processing were completely new for me, organizing and developing events in these industries is not very different from any other B2B industry, and it gave me the advantage to see things with an open mind. When I started at VICTAM in 2018, the challenge was to get a more balanced portfolio and to have a better coverage of the world. In the process of developing our portfolio, having partnerships and joining existing events were key elements. The idea was to have more qualitative good VICTAM events, but not necessarily more events in the industry, creating a win-win for organizers and participants. In 2019, we signed three important partnerships to execute this strategy, but unfortunately, just after signing the contracts we faced the COVID-19 outbreak. This changed a lot, not only for our industry, but also it strongly influenced our partnerships and internal organization. The biggest challenge, so far, is very clear: to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic. And although the world has overcome it, the landscape in exhibition land is still misty and it will take time before everything is back to normal. When did you realize it was time to arrive in LatAm? What were the reasons that made you take the risk? When I lived in Brazil, we were always looking at new segments for our exhibition portfolio, and it was very clear that the agribusiness, like livestock, soy, sugar cane, corn and grain had a huge potential. We never touched these industries, as they have strong stakeholders, and we felt you need a well-established exhibition brand to convince them in this field. As soon as I started at VICTAM, it was obvious that Latin America was a continent that had our priority to research and after doing this it confirmed the potential we noticed before. As Latin America was a blind spot in our portfolio, the market showed potential and our exhibitors were positive about exhibiting in the region, we decided to launch an event in the continent. Latin America, of course, is much more than Brazil, so the question was where to launch VICTAM LatAm. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are all very important markets for our exhibitors and we considered all of them as possibilities. We decided to launch our event in Sao Paulo, as Brazil is the biggest country in the continent and has Sao Paulo, a central and important hub. There are flight connections to all major cities in South America and there are good facilities to organize events. Of course, my knowledge and connections in Brazil were also factors in the decision as we could start the event in the third gear. After we had received market support from our founding companies (Andritz, CPM, Famsun, Wengerand Zheng Chang) and some national and international associations, we launched our first edition for October 2023, in September last year. Which are the plans for VICTAM in LatAm? Will it take place in different countries of the region? Which periodicity will it have? VICTAM is part of a foundation with the mission of benefiting the animal nutrition industry. For us, the result of the event for our participants is more important than the financial results. After all, the profit we make will go back to the industry by donations to projects and research. Our objective with our events is having bi-annual events in 4 regions (Asia, Europe, Latin America and Middle East/Africa) in the world. For our event VICTAM LatAm, as this will be a bi-annual event, the next edition will be in October 2025. Whether we stay in Sao Paulo or move the event to other countries is not decided yet and also will depend on the results of the event and the feedback from our participants. In the future, we hope that VICTAM will close partnerships and co-host with other events and strategic partners, so that it grows together with other events of the continent. The most important thing is that we answer according to the needs of the market: it's not only about what's convenient for us but rather about meeting our customers' needs. How do you see the growth of the pet food industry in the near future? The pet food industry is a rapidly growing sector, and it is expected to continue to expand in the near future. The increasing number of pet owners, combined with the growing awareness of the importance of pet nutrition, is driving the demand for high-quality and healthy pet food. As a result, the industry is likely to continue to transform and bring along new innovations that cater to the specific needs of pets. Some of these innovations include the use of precision nutrition, sustainable practices, nutrigenomics, alternative protein sources, automation and Blockchain. As a leading global animal feed event organization, we have to make sure to do continuous research to not lag behind and follow all the trends to maintain high-end knowledge by organizing the right conferences with the right topics and by the right people. Overall, the pet food industry is set to remain a key player in the global food industry, as pets continue to play an important role in the lives of millions of people around the world. Therefore, for VICTAM, the pet food segment is growing in importance. Pet food is now one of the main segments of the event, both at the exhibition as in the parallel conference program. What's your point of view, as VICTAM General Manager, regarding new needs, such as sustainability and circular economy? As the industry is expected to continue to focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, consumers become more conscious of their impact on the planet. It is clear that if we want to live with so many people on earth, we must do this in a responsible way, so that the next generations will be proud of us instead of blaming us. I believe that the feed and grain processing industries have an important role to play in promoting sustainability and circular economy practices. There is a growing awareness among consumers and industry stakeholders about the need to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes. Thus, it is important for the industry to adopt sustainable practices that support the circular economy. This can be achieved through the implementation of these practices and promotion through different channels (online). As for the offline practices, promotion of sustainability through workshops, seminars and other sessions during the events. In our industry, these are important themes and we give it quite some attention. In our conference program there are several sessions about sustainability and exhibitors we always challenge to have innovations to stimulate this circular economy. We believe that an event like VICTAM, where so many people from different parts of the world come together can contribute to the environment goals. In your experience, what's the most important factor for a successful networking event? Obviously, the most important factor for a successful networking event is to meet the right people. Meeting people with the same interests, meeting people who can help you with a need, problem or question. The more of these contacts the better it is. If you can combine these meetings, with seeing the solutions, feeling a machine and listening to interesting sessions you have a successful networking event. What would you say to professionals, producers and manufacturers that are yet not participating in any networking event to encourage them? We believe that our event in Sao Paulo this October will be a big success. Around 150 companies already signed up, which exceeded our goals for this first event. This will be an event for the whole continent, and we already see quite some registrations from feed mills and pet food producers from several countries from South America. It will be a complete event where companies will meet potential and existing clients from the whole continent. To all feed mills, cooperatives, self-mixing farms and flour processing companies, please register on line and check out the event. Visiting the event will be a one stop experience where you see the latest technology from all over the world, innovative ingredients for nutrition and a very diverse conference program for all kinds of topics. By: Sebas Van Den Ende Source: VICTAM

Interviews Interview with Juan Becher, General Manager of Symrise Pet Food in Mexico, about the role of the company in the industry

7+ MIN

21/07/2023

Interview with Juan Becher, General Manager of Symrise Pet Food in Mexico, about the role of the company in the industry

Based on more than 40 years of experience, Symrise Pet Food has achieved comprehensive knowledge of pets, products and markets, which has allowed it to position itself as a global leader in pet food palatability through its SPF brand. In addition, Symrise Pet Food has extended its offer to pet nutrition solutions with its brand Nutrios, pet food protection solutions with the Videka brand. Symrise Pet Food's ambition is to give all pets a better life by being at the heart of every eating experience by 2030. For Symrise Pet Food, proximity to stakeholders is key, according to the motto: "The closer the better". For this reason, in this 2023 the company continues with its expansion –which already has 31 sites distributed in 4 global regions– and has begun to build a new plant in Mexico, which follows the latest construction standards and puts sustainability at the heart of the factory design and operations. We spoke with Juan Becher, General Manager of the Mexico subsidiary, to learn more about the characteristics of the new plant, the production of pet food in Mexico, the future of the market and the role of Symrise Pet Food in the industry as a global leader.   Juan, can you tell us a little about yourself and Symrise Pet Food in Mexico? Symrise Pet Food began operating in Mexico in September 2004, and I joined the company in April 2005 as Production Manager. I remember that at that time we were really very few: barely 8 employees running the entire company. During the next 10 years, we had many challenges, but without a doubt there were many more satisfactions! In 2015, as the structure was similar to the current organization, I took the responsibility of leading the commercial management of Mexico and Central America; and in 2021, I assumed the position of General Manager of Mexico.   For those of us who do not live in Mexico, could you briefly tell us what is the Mexican pet food market like and what is its current context? Back in 2004, Mexico was the seventh pet food producing country; today we can say that we are the fourth, with around 1,700,000 tons produced in 2022 and according to our internal estimates. We only have very large markets above us, such as the United States, Brazil and China. As in the other countries in the region, Mexico is a country dominated by dogs (small ones mostly), but with a remarkable growth in the cat population. The phenomenon of urbanization is not unknown to us, since almost 25% of the population in Mexico is concentrated in the 3 most important cities. The effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine forced all producers to reassess their strategies and adapt them to the "value for money" that is heard so often. Fortunately, the Mexican pet food industry is robust and has a lot of investment behind it, so each kibble produced has the value that pet owners seek when feeding their companions.   What could you tell us about the new plant that you started to build? The new plant will be located in the city of Querétaro, very close to the current one. In 2021 we acquired a 2-hectare piece of land to build the offices and the production plant. In total, we are talking about 6,600 square meters and a total of 4 buildings. Like the new plants in Brazil and Colombia, our plant will have high standards in terms of infrastructure, process technologies and automation, thanks to which we will be able to continue manufacturing the environmentally responsible products that our customers choose and need.   Industry and market knowledge Nobody ignores that Latin America is one of the regions that appreciates pets the most. In addition to being one of the regions with most pets per inhabitant, a recent statistic found that 67% of the people in Latin America prefer their pets to their friends. Symrise Pet Food works with the commitment to contribute not only to the benefit of the pet, but also to the close affective relationship between the pet owner and the pet, who in many cases, is considered as another member of the family.   Juan, what could you tell us about Symrise Pet Food's contribution to the industry? Thanks to our commercial and productive network around the world, we have a comprehensive knowledge of the local manufacturer and its needs, but also of the pet owners and their pets, who are always looking for new and better products. These three, without a doubt, are the main players in the pet food industry and the ones that make the wheel of our industry turn. In our almost 20 years of presence in the Mexican market, we have always considered it important to listen to them and find solutions that meet their expectations. When we talk about food for our beloved pets, it is extremely important to provide confidence and safety at all times: from the moment before the reception of raw materials to the dispatch and delivery to the customer. The plant and our work teams support the pet food industry by offering the highest quality and food safety globally, to meet (and exceed) everyone's expectations. Through our Aplicalis team, we go beyond the simple delivery of products and provide our clients with more than 40 years of experience and leadership in the palatability market to improve both their production processes and the application of palatants. In short, we help them produce that food or treat that they thought of and want to launch on the market.   The importance of sustainability Symrise Pet Food was born from the desire to value by-products, which is why from its origins it has included sustainable development in its strategy. Its roadmap is based on four pillars: Footprint (to minimize the environmental footprint throughout the value chain), Innovation (to maximize the social and environmental performance of products), Sourcing (to maximize the sustainability of the supply chain and raw materials) and Care (to improve the well-being of employees and the local community). Through them, the company seeks to improve its performance in various areas to achieve the goals set by the United Nations for 2030, with special attention to the challenge of reaching 2030 while being neutral with respect to the emission of greenhouse gases.   We asked Juan Becher to elaborate on the value of sustainability and Symrise Pet Food's commitment in this regard. You mentioned responsibility with the environment before, something key in the current situation of the planet. How important do you think sustainability is today in the Mexican pet food market? In my opinion, in 2023 all companies in the industry should consider sustainability as an indispensable factor when planning their activities and processes. Although broadly speaking the pet food industry has its origins in the revalorization of by-products, technological advances and access to information have made it clear that the traditional ways of producing must change. At Symrise Pet Food we have a tool that has added a lot of value to our products and, consequently, to pet food and its industry: the Ecodesign Matrix. With it we measure the environmental impact of a product before and after its production; we measure the impact of our raw materials and ingredients, their transportation and later the impact of transporting our products to the customer. In this way, we can develop alternatives with the same palatability performance, but with a substantial improvement in environmental impacts. Currently, the big players are the millennials (generation Y) and, although they are not yet mature in terms of income, they are the biggest group of owners of pets and are very involved in caring for the environment. They seek to guide their consumption towards truly responsible brands that face the new challenges of industrial design. Now, answering your question, I think that the Mexican market is giving it the corresponding importance. Thanks to our close contact with almost all pet food producers, I know that they are working to develop more and better products that are ethical and environmentally responsible. According to Mintel, in 2018, 10% of the products launched in the Mexican market had one or more claims in the "Ethical and environmental" category, and in 2022 we were in the order of 21%. We are certainly going on the right path.   How do you see the market in Mexico and our region 10 years from now? Since I started working in the industry, I have not ceased to be surprised by the growth and maturation that it experiences year after year. Our new plant is designed with the market of the next 10 years in mind; a much more robust, developed market with a greater offer of wet products and treats, both for dogs and cats. The idea of outstanding eating experiences, natural ingredients and functional foods that improve the lives of pets will be determining issues for their owners, as they have been for several years.   Thank you very much Juan for your time. Would you like to add anything else to close? First of all, I want to thank our clients who trust us every day and know that we put all our effort into giving them the best solutions to their needs; without them we would not be the undisputed leaders in palatability. Secondly, and no less important, I would like to thank you for spreading the word about everything we do at Symrise Pet Food, as well as spreading what our colleagues and clients do. I think it is essential to do, but you also have to make it known. Developing the pet food industry and modifying the forms of production is everyone's work and commitment. By: Symrise Pet Food Source: All Pet Food Magazine  

Interviews Interview with Claudia Degrossi - World Social Communication Day

3+ MIN

15/05/2023

Interview with Claudia Degrossi - World Social Communication Day

From All Pet Food we generate and share content created with research by our editorial team, clients, editors and colleagues from the pet food industry, backed by qualified sources, to provide technical-scientific articles, not only for reading as a hobby, but as a training resource. That is why we highlight a date that proposes to reflect on the responsibility that communicators assume, inviting them to become aware of their role and ethical conduct. And from All Pet Food to remain committed to this premise. Considering the important date and the importance of sharing information obtained from knowledge and research, what inspires you to play the role of disseminator? Among my values is learning... that connects me with personal improvement, with my view of myself as a process, being in permanent construction... And facilitating that process in other people is exciting and challenging for me. In this disseminator role I get in contact with people, I answer questions, I accompany others so they can learn the knowledge they need to solve their day-to-day issues... And those questions that they ask me lead me to rethink my role and myself, in this improvement cycle.   On the other hand, and considering a subject as booming as controversial like Artificial Intelligence, what do you think about its use as a tool to create content? Perhaps I still dont have a formed opinion, it is rather reflections or feelings that are intermingled... There is a John Naisbitt phrase that I like, that reflects my way of looking at the future: "The most exciting revolutionary advances of the 21st century will not happen by technology, but by an expansive concept of what it means to be human"… And as human beings we are imperfect. I understand that this imperfection adds value to what we do. And in this act we build ourselves as authentic human beings, if we have the courage to let ourselves be seen. Maybe someone chooses to use that tool to start their job... Now, it's important for me to be seen in that content, and that happens when I get involved in writing...   We know that writing texts has many benefits such as: generating neural connections, enriching vocabulary, improving fine motor skills, etc. What kind of impact can have using a tool that solves this task immediately? I understand that it could have a deep impact, at least on me, on the possibility of learning. I would be "delegating" something that I didn't even learn deeply about. How to grow if we skip that learning? Agility, a word that has a lot of presence today, but this doesn´t mean fast or immediate, rather it goes hand by hand with our adaptability. And that requires many skills such as flexibility, hierarchy, acceptance, detachment, among others, that we train while doing... And also, I don't want to miss the happiness and recognition of myself, when I do something that we value... In everything we write, we are ourselves... When I read someone else's text, emotions even arise, empathy appears... I don't know if that will continue to happen if the contents do not have a "human" author.   Remembering the responsibility of communicators to create and disseminate articles generated from research and supported by true sources, what do you think about the reliability of the content creado with Artificial Intelligence? I imagine that this will be related to updating the information that feeds the system... Perhaps reliability doesn't have so much to do with updating, but with what makes it human. That "humanity" sometimes shows information that is far beyond "data" and is forceful...   We invite you to add anything else you consider necessary to share with the pet food industry. I think that AI will have an impact in many aspects... It will be necessary to rethink the training proposals, professional skills, ways of working, etc... I strongly hope that we don't lose sight of its possible negative impact, if its use does not go hand in hand with a tracendental lokk, transcendental gaze, like the one that has at all of us connected.   By: Claudia Degrossi Source: All Pet Food

Interviews Interview with Francisco Ríos - Director of Corporate Affairs at Mars Pet Nutrition, México

8+ MIN

21/12/2022

Interview with Francisco Ríos - Director of Corporate Affairs at Mars Pet Nutrition, México

Please, tell us a little about your professional career. For more than 15 years, I have been in the areas of Communication, Institutional Relations, and Public Policy and, since 2017, I have been part of Mars in the Mars Pet Nutrition Mexico division, as Director of Corporate Affairs. Before joining Mars, I was in charge of the Directorate of Government Relations and Public Policy for Latin America at Kellogg Company. I have been part of different councils, chambers, and associations, as well as foundations that support social causes related to child malnutrition and food banks, and now I work very closely with those that promote animal welfare. I like that, through my work, I promote the business leveraged by the purpose of MARS Petcare to make A Better World for Pets, as well as manage and influence allies in key spaces for it to continue operating successfully.   Can you give us a small presentation of the company? What is its mission in the market? Mars Petcare is one division of the company, a family business with more than a century of history and a presence in 80 countries. We are world leaders in pets' health and nutritional needs. Through our brands: PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, CHAMP®, PAL®, and SHEBA®, and the expert care of BANFIELD® veterinary hospitals, we work to offer a whole portfolio of options, seeking to grow our brands through our inspiring purpose "A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS." For this reason, we make healthy, safe, and nutritious products, offering different options tailored to the characteristics and needs of dogs and cats, which are now present in 7 out of 10 homes. Today, Mars Petcare Mexico is the 4th market for the company globally. In our country, in the pet food division, we have 4 manufacturing plants located in Queretaro and Jalisco to satisfy local demand and those from other regions.   What are the main challenges for the company to continue improving and growing? What is the growth focus for 2023? What do you think is essential to focus your efforts on? The first great opportunity is to take advantage of caloric conversion, which, in Mexico, being less than 50%, represents a great potential to keep growing. In other words, this means that our portfolio of complete and balanced foods is a great alternative for the adequate nutrition of dogs and cats (compared to those who give them homemade food) because today, relationships with pets have evolved, and they will continue that way. They occupy a closer place in our house and are part of our family. This closer relationship and genuine interest in improving their lives have led consumers to be more aware of the importance of balanced meals to take care of their health and, therefore, their diet. We see the pet food category continue with double-digit growth driven by the transformation of the role of dogs and cats within the family dynamic. One of our main focuses is also to keep promoting the wet food market for pets since it is growing faster than the category. We also have a great opportunity in two other sectors, one is everything related to cats since the dynamics of this pet in cities with smaller living spaces makes it a great companion that can stay alone at home. Another important trend is the search for more natural foods that provide nutritional balance and help pets lead healthier and happier lives. We will keep working to assist more pets worldwide, offering complete and balanced foods through our different brands and variety of products. Some of our most recent proposals are, for example, WHISKAS® Balance of Nature and CHAMP® in the dog food category, both products without dyes and with the essential nutrients they need, thus contributing to their quality of life and providing a healthy balance in your diet. As a company, our goal is that there are no more animals living on the streets. For 14 years, we have been working with strategic allies, such as shelters, associations, and even clients, to promote the adoption of pets and responsible ownership while promoting our purpose. Some of our initiatives are focused precisely on supporting, through the shelters of our PEDIGREE® Adopt Me program and other key allies, sterilization campaigns, and enabling more pet-friendly spaces that allow pets and their guardians to strengthen the bond. For example, we work with shopping centers to provide guidance on the right infrastructure and amenities to enable pet-friendly spaces, always prioritizing animal welfare.   What innovative proposals are approaching the market? We, at Mars Petcare, as industry leaders, seek that the nutritional proposal of our brands has the scientific support of the Waltham Research Center, in addition to always prioritizing quality as one of our Five Principles. In particular, we were pioneers in the proposal of wet food for pets in different formats such as pâté and fillets, while in oral health, we also have a great product: PEDIGREE® Dentastix, which due to its exclusive shape and active ingredients help reduce plaque formation and dental tartar. As a business, a large part of our innovation proposals is anchored in the importance of linking our operation with our purpose. We have set ourselves the objective of promoting initiatives that ensure there are no more dogs on the streets, promote responsible adoption, and encourage pet-friendly culture to be part of our society. For example, our PEDIGREE® Adopt Me Web App seeks to take advantage of digital tools to bring those individuals or families interested in adopting a new member to their family closer together so that now they can do so more easily. In 2021 we inaugurated the first stadium with a 100% pet-friendly space in the world in Querétaro, just 2 hours from Mexico City, the Corregidora stadium. This pet-friendly space, like many others we support, arises to continue strengthening the bond between people and pets for all the benefits they bring to our lives. Finally, another example is the podcasts Ciudad para las mascotas, available on digital platforms, in which pet managers can learn more about how caring for their dogs and cats and welcoming them as part of the family helps us be more connected, healthy, and happy.   What is the expansion projection for 2023? At the beginning of this year, we announced a total investment of 100 million dollars (2,100 million pesos) over the next three years, which will allow us to double the production capacity of our wet pet food plant located in Queretaro. This project is generating 600 temporary jobs and will welcome more than 100 new Associates. The expansion will be ready in the third quarter of 2023 (an 18-month project), and will allow us to double our production capacity by installing 12 production lines to manufacture an additional 40,000 tons per year, allowing 70,000 tons of product annually. This represents more than 55 million Envelopes® of wet food per month for the PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, AND SHEBA® brands. In relation to the trends in the industry, such as the high humanization of pets or changes in food, what changes have you made in your production process, technologies, or products? Our product's innovation and evolution is essential for us. That's why we are constantly strengthening our product portfolio to offer the best nutrition to dogs and cats, focusing on different types of food, textures, benefits, and experiences to satisfy the needs of those responsible for pets and also those of companion animals. We strive to have the correct presentation (size and price) in the different distribution points where our consumers want to find us. For example, we recently renewed the PEDIGREE® portfolio, including our Biscrock snacks, in addition to launching the PEDIGREE® High Protein variety in its dry and wet technology, the new Dentastix® Meat, we launched two new varieties of our cat food, with WHISKAS® sterilized cats and WHISKAS® protein mix, as well as our WHISKAS® Premium snacks, always under the scientific support of the WALTHAM® research center, the world authority in pet nutrition research that defines the nutritional, quality, and food safety standards for all MARS brands. What policies has the company adopted in terms of circular economy and sustainability? We believe that the world we want tomorrow begins with the way we do business today. That's why, at the heart of our strategy, is our "Sustainability in a Generation Plan," where the planet is healthy, people and pets thrive, and society is inclusive. Based on this plan, we managed to bring to life initiatives that address key areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and that include ambitious purposes based on scientific data. We have the goal of reducing our water use by 50% by 2025 to achieve a water balance in all our plants in Mexico. This commitment will allow us to contribute to the recovery of more than 42,000m3 of water in all our plants in the country. We are proud to join three projects hand in hand with strategic associations focused on water recovery to achieve a significant impact: Metropolitan Environmental Fund of Monterrey A.C., for the restoration of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, promoted by our two candy and confectionery plants located precisely in Nuevo León. Our pet food plants in Queretaro, Jalisco, and the chocolate plant in the State of Mexico join 'El Fondo de Agua Cauce Bajío' in collaboration with Nuup and the Secretary of Agri-food and Rural Development of Guanajuato. The Jalisco plant joined the Charco Bendito project in 2021 for comprehensive restoration of water care in a section of the Arroyo Grande micro-basin.   What do you consider to be the main current challenges for the growth of the industry? In Mexico, the pet food market is the fourth most important market, for us at Mars, this continues to represent a scenario of great opportunities. In the coming years, the concept of "value for money" will continue to gain relevance, companies must maintain diversity in their product portfolio, covering the different needs of customers and their pets while adapting to new purchasing trends with innovative proposals. A clear example of the changes in the market for the coming years is the new generations who will continue to be relevant to the industry. In addition, according to our study "Homeless Pets Index (IMSH)", 62% of those surveyed expressed interest in adopting a cat and 77% a dog, so we need to be ready. We are positive about the category's performance, thanks to a mix of factors, including the market, business decisions, and doing the right thing for pets and their guardians, our customers, and our company. Any comment or information you want to add is more than welcome! At Mars, we are proud to be a family-owned business with the ability to invest long-term in the future of our business, our people, and the planet, all guided by our Five Principles. We believe that the world we want tomorrow begins with the way we do business today. We will continue to work to improve the well-being of families and their pets around the world, and we will continue to share our research and innovations to create a better world for pets, so every day we are a little closer to the world we want tomorrow.   Source: Mars Pet Nutrition

Interviews The Interview - Dana Brooks - CEO at Pet Food Institue

4+ MIN

01/11/2022

The Interview - Dana Brooks - CEO at Pet Food Institue

Good science is needed - not disruptors   What does the Pet Food Institute do in the industry? What could you say about its mission?   The Pet Food Institute's goal is to support the industry as the voice of U.S. pet food and treat makers. PFI is the industry's representative before Congress and state legislatures, as well as state and federal agencies; a public education and media relations resource; an organizer of seminars and educational programs; and a liaison to other organizations.   Is there any current research in the industry that you consider a disruptive factor in its growth? I don't think there's research that is a disruption. Good science is needed - not disruptors. PFI's research group focuses mostly on food safety.   How do you think the post pandemic pet food industry will keep on developing? Our members' goal is always to provide safe products that provide complete and balanced nutrition to dogs and cats. That goal will not change. One thing that we have seen is that post-pandemic, more American households than ever have a pet – about 70% now. This rapid growth, in addition to the sourcing issues due to renewable diesel mandates and trucking issues, will continue to create supply chain issues moving forward. PFI continues to advocate for solutions to improve supply chain issues and support the needs of pet lovers and their pets.   How do you think that people's trends and habits impact their pet ownership? One big area we see this in is the increasing concern over pet obesity. Over 50% of American pets are currently overweight or obese. This, unfortunately, leads to a host of health issues for the animal including diabetes, joint, and heart issues. Studies show that a dog at a healthy weight can live up to 2.5 years longer than one that is overweight. During the pandemic, more Americans were home with their pets, and pets were being fed more treats and toys filled with peanut butter to keep the pets calm while people worked. Since less than 10% of a pet's daily caloric intake should come from treats, this created an unhealthy situation. That's why Pet Food Institute launched the Your Pet's Healthy Weight campaign to educate consumers on the dangers of pet obesity and encourage them to work with their vets to attain a healthy weight.   Sustainability is one of the most important initiative nowadays. What do you think of it? How is the company embracing it? The pet food industry is embracing ideas that will make its operations more sustainable. Some of those efforts are hindered by regulatory challenges like the length of time it takes to get approval on new ingredients. PFI members take several different steps to support continued sustainability in the manufacturing of pet food. This can include steps such as investing in packaging advancements to minimize waste and maximize recycling to reducing water and energy use at manufacturing sites and avoiding competing with the human food supply. From responsible ingredient sourcing to on-site manufacturing and packaging, PFI members are finding multiple ways to advance the sustainable production of pet food. That's why the Pet Food Institute is working with the Pet Sustainability Coalition and we have created a Sustainability Working Group – to proactively search for ways to become more sustainable. The Pet Sustainability Coalition's Earth Day campaign is one example of how the industry is coming together to be more sustainable. During Earth Day 2022, pet industry professionals came together to complete over 10,000 earth-friendly actions.   What challenges could you say are the most difficult to overcome for the industry nowadays? One of the biggest challenges are supply chain issues partially caused by mandates and incentives for renewable diesel use. In an effort to address climate change, the government is providing incentives to farmers to use animal and plant oils traditionally used in pet food and for human consumption to be used in the creation of renewable diesel. This is causing unintended consequences in the supply chain in the form of ingredient shortages and drastically increased ingredient costs for pet food makers. The lengthy, time consuming and expensive process of getting new and innovative ingredients approved for use in pet food. This process can take upwards of 5 years making it difficult for pet food makers to implement new research and sustainable practices to provide the best nutrition possible for pets. A key example of this is the use of insect proteins. Currently, there is tentative approval to use only one ingredient – black soldier fly larvae - in dog food. However, there are other high-quality insect proteins that could be used in pet foods if the approval process were more efficient and harmonized. This delays bringing highly sustainable ingredients to market at a time when the government is seeking to reduce carbon emissions.   Source: Pet Food Institute

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