Category Captains: Private Label Foods and Retractable Leashes

Private Label Foods

Food safety is paramount to consumers. As consumers start to demand the same quality for their pets as they do for their families, pet food is being held to a higher standard. Alphia is the largest manufacturer of pet food and treats, chosen as a trusted partner for market-leading brands because of their commitment to nourishing and protecting pets by manufacturing the highest quality pet food. 

“We aim to revolutionize the pet industry with exceptional quality, innovation and with our priority set on food safety,” reported an Alphia spokesperson. “We saw an opportunity to set new standards, differentiate ourselves from our competitors and cater to the increasing demand for pet food offerings. We’ve earned the trust of our customers, built strong relationships and maintained a competitive edge in the market.”

The rep continued, “At Alphia, food safety and quality permeate every aspect of our operations. Food safety is constantly evolving and Alphia is always looking at ways to improve. By staying aligned with these principles, we exceed the expectations of our customers while making a positive impact in the pet food industry.” 

Alphia is the No. 1 number one leader in pet food manufacturing. As customers’ and their pets’ needs change, so does Alphia. They diligently curate products to maintain their role as a pioneer and innovator in the category. The rep stated, “Alphia is committed to manufacturing high-quality products and focusing on understanding the evolving needs and preferences of our customers and their consumers. We conduct thorough market research and foster a culture of creativity within our team. Alphia stays on top of the latest pet industry trends, emerging technologies and consumer insights to maintain its position as a leader in pet food manufacturing.”

Alphia meets or exceeds strict FDA, AAFCO and USDA standards with the safest, highest-quality pet food products and treats. By continuously raising the bar on protocols and manufacturing processes, they maintain an industry-leading food safety and quality system that is ahead of its time. The rep expanded on this commitment to quality and safety, “Alphia aims to educate the industry about the exceptional quality and safety of the products we manufacture. We offer an extensive range of products across various pet food segments, showing our customers that pets can enjoy high-quality pet food at more affordable price points, all while ensuring food safety and quality. At Alphia, we value the importance of food safety and providing safe products so that families don’t have to sacrifice high-quality and safe pet food options because of what they can afford.”

Alphia is a company that united passionate pet people to create a leading-edge, national manufacturer. Their excellent service levels and diligence to safety and quality have earned Alphia’s unshakeable reputation with retailers, as well as with families and their beloved pets. 

Retractable Leashes

Flexi has faith and confidence in the retractable leash market, going so far as to characterize the category as substantial and resilient, largely because of the growing number of dog-owning households and pet owners demanding higher quality materials and features from their leashes. 

“The retractable leash market in the USA remains large and strong, with high pet ownership and the humanization of pets,” said Sylvie Geffrelot for Flexi. “Dog parents are seeking comfort, safety features and show high interest in sustainability and design. Online shopping for pet accessories is accelerating, e-commerce has become a driver of sales in the USA. In dense urban settings, retractable leashes offer convenience and flexibility and for future growth, Flexi will focus on premiumization of the leashes with quality features, strong materials and differentiated designs.”

Safety comes first within the retractable leashes category. “Pet owners want ease of use with comfortable handles, smooth retracting, and they want above all else a high control on their dog when walking with them,” Geffrelot said. “Pet parents consider safety as the key aspect: performing locking mechanism, strong cord or tape, tangle-free operation, durable materials.”

Retailers have a lot to gain by partnering with Flexi. The Flexi team provides a comprehensive Flexi program, recommends merchandising guidelines that are original and applicable to each retailer and furnishes stores with attractive and informative signage. “If retailers were opening a new store today, it would be vital for them to carry the No. 1 brand in the retractable category—Flexi,” Geffrelot said. “By listening and working closely with our retail partners, we do provide unparalleled product quality and consistency, attractive and on-trend designs, proven merchandising strategies and strong support with education and messaging for the pet parent. Flexi does offer several presentations displays that deliver sustainable and profitable growth. Retailers who support a comprehensive Flexi program, who follow suggested merchandising guidelines and utilize various signage and educational resources, do experience increase in sales.”

For half a century, Flexi has harmonized tradition and endurance with useful and practical products in its line of leashes and has never stopped challenging itself to improve and reinvent the category. “Manfred Bogdahn, company founder, is very clear in his vision: ‘For 52 years, Flexi has been focusing on its core product. This is the basis for our success. Quality, functionality, safety and design are the hallmarks of our products. We are the world market leader in a small niche, the No. 1, and we will make sure it stays that way.’” 

The Flexi leash means more freedom for dogs and dependability that both pet owners and retailers can count on.