Jessica TaylorFrom the Author - Page 8Market Trends and ReportsOpen innovation: ways to jump-start your new petfood product developmentOpen Innovation is a term promoted by Henry Chesbrough, a professor and executive director at the Center for Open Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, in his book Open Innovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. The concept is related to user innovation, cumulative innovation, mass innovation and distributed innovation. According to Edwin Grim of Ralco Nutrition, “Open innovation is a paradigm that assumes that firms can and should use external ideas as well as internal ideas, and internal and external paths to market, as the firms look to advance their technology.Market Trends and ReportsSafety focus: shipping and distribution of petfood productsKeywords like collaboration, cloud computing and responsiveness will dominate the petfood supply chain landscape — is your company prepared? How will you ensure that a worry-free product is always being delivered safely, efficiently and in a timely manner to consumers?Natural/Organic Pet FoodBreaking new ground with Fromm Family FoodsSince 1904, Fromm Family Foods has maintained a tradition of quiet innovation dedicated to the health and nutrition of animals, proudly declares the company website. In the 1930s, Fromm introduced the first canine distemper vaccine, and in 1949 it introduced the concept of premium petfood to the consumer market, claims the company.Pet Food MarketTop petfood companiesThe following is a guide to the business basics of the highest grossing petfood manufacturers internationally, based on 2010 data provided by Euromonitor International. Please refer to Figure 1 for a quick reference to the top 15 global manufacturers profiled and below for more in-depth information on the top 10.HomeNutrition Trends: Satiety and weight control for petsJust like us, pets no longer have to hunt to survive nor live outdoors, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that they have mirrored the human tendency to have trouble with weight. As any lifetime yo-yo dieter or dedicated New Year's resolution breaker can tell you, a critical factor in any weight loss program is compliance, and you are more likely to stay with the program, diet or exercise plan if you can perceive visible results while feeling full and not deprived.Pet Food ProcessingTechnology update: advances in dry petfood productionManufacturing the best-quality dry petfoods for dogs and cats not only relies on a nutritionally sound formula, a solid marketing campaign and eye-catching packaging, but it must be produced in a cost-efficient, time-saving and sanitary way. That's why choosing the right extrusion, drying and cooling equipment is so vital.HomeNutrition vital to Hill'sHill's Pet Nutrition Inc. has an interesting nutrition philosophy and it's one they are working on spreading to veterinarians and pet parents alike: "What's important is what the (petfood) ingredients contain, not the ingredient name." Hill's was founded by veterinarian Marc Morris Sr., who created the first therapeutic petfood for dogs, according to the company.Pet Food ProcessingOdor reduction solutions in petfood production"Odor reduction is important to stakeholders, which includes people living in the community near your plant," said Tjitze Smit of GrainTec A/S in his 2011 Petfood Forum Europe presentation, "Energy Recovery and Odor Reduction in Petfood Production." An angry mob of townspeople showing up at your facility's door, complaining about how your business stinks, is no way to foster community spirit, much less garner popularity with local consumers.Market Trends and ReportsNutrition trends: Allergen-free petfoodsFood allergy and intolerance in dogs and cats are potentially serious problems that can result in sensitive or irritated skin, coat and ear conditions or gastrointestinal upset. Pets that have adverse reactions to food typically experience an abnormal response to the protein in their diet.Market Trends and ReportsFresh and frozen: the perfect petfood?Like many pioneering petfood makers before her, Karen Scoggins first started researching pet diets and nutrition when her dog, Hunter, became suddenly ill in late 2006. Within weeks of his passing headlines around the world announced the largest petfood recall in history.Market Trends and ReportsHow-to: Monitor your petfood brand’s reputation with social networkingIt’s a fact: Almost all consumers are online and sharing their opinions on your brand, your products, your ingredients and your philosophy, no matter what their credentials. According to the Pew Global Attitudes Project survey, just 18% of Americans said they never use the Internet.Pet Food PackagingTen innovative petfood packaging products for 2011The latest petfood packaging materials, machinery and equipment from iPhone apps to baggers, bio-resins and biodegradable paper.Previous PagePage 8 of 13Next Page