Normerica Inc -Big in private label with outstanding clients

Founded in 1990, Normerica Inc. is a Canadianbased manufacturer of premium quality, private label and branded pet products, including cat litter, dog biscuits, and pig ears. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Normerica Inc.'s core business involves the production and manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout Canada and the United States. In addition, they own and operate a manufacturing facility located in Dashiqiao, Liao Ning, China. Providing a unique competitive advantage, their overseas facility focuses exclusively on the production of premium quality silica gel cat litter products. With complete control over the entire production and packaging process, Normerica is able to supply only the finest quality silica gel products.

Clients & The Market

For almost fifteen years, Normerica has focused on providing customers and pet owners worldwide with exceptional quality products, excellent service levels, and attractively low prices. Spanning the globe, Normerica's customer base includes prominent, world class, retailers such as Sam's Club, WAL-MART,PETsMART, Loboaw Companies Limited, BJ's Wholesale Club, Albertson's, Safeway, and Costco.

Sales

In Canada and the United States, clumping cat litter sales continue to gain market share, currently comprising 60% of total cat litter sales. Conversely, conventional or traditional cat litter sales continue to decline, comprising only 30% of the total market. Premium silica gel and crystal blend products have quickly become the category's fastest growing segment, now accounting for over 10% of total cat litter sales. Positioned as premium, high performance formulas, silica gel and crystal blend products provide cat owners with convenient, extra-strength alternatives to regular clumping and conventional litter.

Packaging

Innovators in package designs and formats, they are proud to be an industry leader in private label cat litter market with value added package formats such as jugs, boxes, and pails, their strength is in developing and implementing successful private label strategies for their customers. Creating the optimal private label product mix for each and every customer, Normerica offers a wide range of package sizes, formats, and product formulas to meet the specific needs of each individual retailer. As specialist in private label they are able to take an objective view with regards to their customer's product listings and recommend the correct private label program to maximize retail sales and profitability. The Canadian market is a global leader in private label, where it is not uncommon for private label products to have 80% penetration in certain categories. The increased profitability of a successful private label program is integral to surviving in today's competitive marketplace. Customer focused, Normerica understands their customer's businesses, and strives to develop a program that will fulfill all requirements and address any challenges. They continue to be at the forefront of the today's best private label programs.

Business Partner

Recently, Normerica has partnered with the Belgium pet product distributor, Flamingo, to bring their highly successful 100% sodium bentonite private label cat litter products to a whole new list of retailers across Europe. Through flamingo's vast delivery network, they will now deliver their cat litter products to every major market in the EU.

Other Fulfillment Systems

In addition to a commitment to quality and innovation, they are focused on providing swift turn-around times, just-in-time order fulfillment systems, and excellent customer service support. Fully EDI compatible, Normerica is proud to be a vendor co-manager for world-renowned retailers such as Sam's Club and WAL-MART. Logistics specialists, Normerica ships in excess of 1,500 truckloads of product each month across North America, and to numerous locations throughout Europe.

At Normerica, packaging trends continue to move towards high quality, high resolution 7-8 colour process printing, and premium package formats that now include jugs, per-print boxes, and unique, innovative pre-printed oval pails with easy-to-carry plastic handles and easy-to-open, attractively coloured lids. With minimal lead-time, their in-house design team creates attractive, customized private label package designs guaranteed to stand out and command attention on any shelf of display pallet.

Their success is not only a result of the company's commitment to quality, but is also a result of the company's unique ability to provide a range of value added services including category management, just-in-time delivery, low cost delivery, superb customer service support, in-house artwork development, and inventory co-management.

For further information:

www.normericainc.com

 PETS International Magazine ISSUE 4,2004