General News www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009 13 On the ' front line' of dog welfare MDC Exports earns National Dog Warden Association MDC Exports, providers of unique animal control equipment, has been named as Most Supportive Company at the 2009 National Dog Warden Association awards. The awards honour the ' unsung heroes' of the dog world who assist with animal welfare, strays and anti- social behaviour. MDC Exports was recognised for its help at the ' front line ' of dog issues around the country. The company has been supplying animal control equipment for 20 years including tools to capture, rescue and restrain animals, protective gloves and veterinary equipment. All products supplied by MDC Exports are carefully designed to minimise stress and discomfort in animals. MDC Exports' MD, Melvyn Driver, was presented with the award at a ceremony held at the Menzies- Strathallon Hotel in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Managing Director, Melvyn Driver commented: " We're delighted to have been awarded for supporting the NWDA. The tireless effort of dog wardens across the country is highly commendable, often going un- recognised. We're proud to be involved with the organisation." ¦ MDC Exports' MD, Melvyn Driver BETA wins export cash The British Equestrian Trade Association ( BETA) has secured almost £ 100,000 of government funding to encourage British equestrian exports. Under a newly announced 2010/ 11 allocation, UK Trade & Investments ( UKTI) will subsidise eligible companies' participation in a series of BETA- led trade missions to three continents. The international events and trade exhibitions at which British equestrian products and services are to be showcased are the Rolex Kentucky Three- Day Event in Lexington, USA, on 22- 25 April 2010; Spoga in Cologne, Germany on 5- 7 September 2010; Equitana Asia Pacifi c in Melbourne, Australia on 18- 21 November 2010; the American Equestrian Trade Association ( AETA) Fair in Fort Washington, USA, on 30 January- 1 February 2011; and Equitana in Essen, Germany, on 12- 20 March 2011. The British group's appearance at the Dubai International Horse Fair on March 2010 is subsidised by the current year's UKTI funding. Existing and new equestrian exporters are entitled to apply for the latest round of subsidies and benefi t from BETA's logistical support, a service particularly valued by new exporters or those exploring fresh markets. " British goods and services remain highly sought after in the global equestrian arena," said Claire Williams, executive director of BETA. " Exhibiting at important events under the BETA " British" banner gives companies instant recognition and a strong identity in the eyes of international buyers." Norfolk based footwear specialist Tuffa joined the British group at the Rolex Kentucky Three- Day Event earlier this year. " BETA's support was very helpful on what was a learning curve for us," said Richard Girling of Tuffa. " We made a lot of contacts and the Americans liked our prices." BETA- led trade missions are open to retailers, distributors and manufacturers, with funding available to eligible companies. For more information and/ or confi dential export advice, contact Claire Williams on 01937 587062 or info@ beta- uk. org ¦

General News 1 4 PET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com New Net- Tex factory opens to meet high product demand Net- Tex Industries Ltd., producer of animal health remedies for sheep, cattle, horses, poultry and pets has found a huge increase in demand for its products over the past 12 months. Best known for its Collate range of nutritional products, Net- Tex has added a third 40,000 sq ft factory at its Rochester production site to cope with sales demand. Managing Director Tony Meakin believes that the economic recession has driven farmers and animal keepers to seek lower cost but highly effective solutions to husbandry problems. Net- Tex products fi t the bill as they can be bought without prescription from any agricultural, equine or pet store. The new factory is needed to house the new formulation, fi lling and labeling machinery which has been installed to cope with increasing product volumes. Kevin Perry, Sales and Marketing Director, explained that over £ 100,000 has been spent on new equipment because of changes in market demand and to meet the highest quality standards demanded by the recently achieved FEMAS registration. " We have two new powder fi llers, one dedicated purely for food grades and one for other powders. Similarly we have two new dedicated liquid fi llers, one for food grade and the other for shampoos and non- hazardous products. These are all linked by a conveyer system delivering packed goods to a new state- of- the- art double sided labeling machine". Kevin added " we have been able to service the burgeoning demand for poultry products by designing new remedies or adapting existing agricultural products, but we found we had to supply extremely high numbers of small pack sizes for people keeping only a few birds". As well as its new poultry products, Net- Tex Industries has continued to expand its agricultural and equine portfolios. Tony Meakin said " we are now the most comprehensive one- stop shop supplier for agricultural and equine outlets. We have increased our export business. Last year we were appointed as a major supplier to the French based Decathlon group ( a multi-national company with a turn- over of ? 10.4 billion per annum with over 350 stores around the world who ask us to print their labels in 16 languages!) This year we are hitting the high profi le high street favourites such as Vital, Pets At Home, Dobbies Garden Centres and Pets Corner outlets. By opening a further factory, we can continue to offer quality innovative products at competitive prices, as well as offering a consistent and reliable supply source". ¦ Net- Tex Industries new factory British owners are eco- minded in their choice of cat litter British cat owners are clearly demonstrating their eco- credentials when it comes to their choice of cat litter. J Rettenmaier & Sons, producers of Cat's Best OkoPlus which is made from 100% organic materials, have reported that the UK is now their biggest export market for the brand. Cat's Best OkoPlus is produced in Germany and is sold all over Europe. It has been available in the UK for eight years and in that time its sales have risen consistently by over 50% each year. Andrew Pierce, managing director of AJM Pet Products who distributes Cat's Best in the UK, says, " Cat's Best is sold across Europe, from Spain to Russia, but I'm delighted that the UK has now become the brand's largest market. " It shows that British owners are clearly extremely eco- minded when it comes to their choice of cat litter." Cat's Best OkoPlus is biodegradable and compostable, since it is produced from totally organic materials - untreated domestic spruce and fi r timber. The natural fi bres within the soft, granules effectively absorb liquids and capture unpleasant odours. As well as being environmentally friendly, it is also economically friendly. Its clumping qualities make the soiled litter easy to scoop out and replace, so the customer doesn't waste litter unnecessarily. Cat's Best OkoPlus is available from all good pet shops, or online at www. petfoodwarehouse. co. uk ¦