Across industries, the past two years were marked by rapid growth and transformation, even in the face of global supply chain challenges and widespread staffing shortages. The pet industry is not excluded from these challenges or tremendous growth. According to the APPA, an estimated $109.6 billion will have been spent on pets in the U.S. in 2021.

Last September, after what felt like forever apart, retailers, vendors, and PFX team members reconnected at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, for PFEXPO East. Two jam-packed days where our industry comes together to deepen connections, take advantage of incredible deals, and, most importantly...have fun! 

Dot Family Holdings Joins Pet Food Experts in Igniting the Future of Pet Specialty Distribution

PAWTUCKET, RI — Pet Food Experts (PFX), a leading distributor of pet food and supplies, announced today an investment from Dot Family Holdings (DFH), the investment office of the Tracy Family, owners, and operators of Dot Foods, Inc., the largest human food industry redistributor in North America. 

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — February 21, 2022 — Pet Food Experts announced today the retirement of James Bettencourt, Chief Operating Officer, after over four decades of devoted service effective this month. Effective immediately, William May has been appointed Chief Operating Officer.

There is one thing all pet parents know is true; our pets love receiving a good treat. For pet owners, switching up treats and chews is a fun opportunity to spice up the life of their four-legged friends, which is why it is no surprise that pet treats are one of the highest-grossing product categories in the pet space. At Pet Food Experts, our carefully curated brand portfolio offers pet specialty retailers and the communities they serve trusted brands and high-quality products that keep consumers happy and their pet's tails wagging.

TACOMA, WA/DENVER CO – Pet Food Experts announced today the expansion of two new distribution centers in Washington and Colorado over the next two months to support the growing demand for natural pet food and supplies. The expansion allows Pet Food Experts to better serve the pet specialty businesses of the Pacific Northwest and Mountain Region.

Over time we've seen the pet industry transform and grow into what it is today. It is crucial to have leaders we can count on through all this change, especially when our world is thrown into chaos by a global pandemic. This year, Pet Age Magazine has launched the Power 50 List to recognize and highlight our industry's incredible leaders and influencers.

William May joins Pet Food Experts as Vice President of Supply Chain Operations

At the Global Pet Expo in March of 2020, the Pet Sustainability Coalition, Earth Animal, and Pet Food Experts announced a unique Flex Forward Pilot Program. Since August 2020, retailers from across the nation have been working toward a collective mission to gather 5,000 pounds of pet food packaging in an effort to identify sustainable alternatives to the packaging disposed of in landfills.

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about our way of life. Undoubtedly one of the most significant changes is the way in which we gather. As a result, we have seen many of our treasured industry shows, including PFEXPO, either canceled, postponed, or testing virtual formats to keep attendees, exhibitors, and workers safe. If you attended Global Pet Expo 2020 just weeks before the world shut down, then you can remember the feeling of impending change. Empty booths, quiet whispers, and the questioning looks when you saw someone sporting a mask as they walked through the aisles. We didn't know at the time, but everything was about to change.