30 June 2000

Top Performing Pet Food Companies

The results of a new survey of efficiency & return on investment in UK Pet Food companies show some surprising changes. An industry analysis of 339 UK manufacturers, distributors, processors, suppliers and wholesalers of pet foods & associated products including holding companies by analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd puts the holding company Walker Greenbank plc at the top of the list of best performers. Of interest to pet food industry watchers, in second place is Natural Animal Feeds Ltd - specialists in solutions to equine nutritional problems. Other top places went to Clarendon Feeds Ltd in Belfast, Oriental & Pacific Food Co. Ltd and Acorn Pet Products (meat processors for pet food products). Below this, Iams UK came 11th, up two places on its previous position which could weaken reports that Procter & Gamble may be considering disposal of the company as part of a programme to rationalise assets. Iams' Close rivals Hills Pet Nutrition came outside the top twenty at number 27. Way down the list, Pets At Home the pets superstore chain, was ranked 43rd. To apply for the full listing go to: www.plimsoll.co.uk