The Pet Industry of the Future in South-East Asia VNU is building bridges to bring a world-class exhibition to Bangkok

Bangkok-Shanghai (13 December 2019)

South-East Asia is constructing the first international business hub for the pet industry in 2020. Today’s pet industry is making a more concerted effort than ever to bring global expertise and brands to South-East Asia. VNU Exhibitions Asia (Shanghai) and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific in Bangkok is starting a new-joint venture to build bridges to link the world, especially China, and South-East Asia more closely and also to bring a world-class exhibition, Pet Fair Asia to Bangkok in October 2020, under the name ‘Pet Fair SE Asia 2020’ which will be held on October 14-16, 20 20 at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand.

13 December is the day for the official announcement of this exhibition and of ‘PET X Talk’ by inviting people in the industry to talk on the topic ‘How today’s leaders envision the future trends in Asia’ in many fields of the business including ‘Pet Retail is Evolving’ with information by Mr. Viroj Limtrajitt, Marketing Director of the Pet Lover Centre, Thailand; ‘Pet Hospitals, State of the Art Service’ with information by Dr. Kitika, Founder and CEO of Thonglor Pet Hospital Group, Thailand; ‘World Pet Food Trends in South-East Asia’ with information by Mr. Rik van Westendorp, CFO of Monchou Pet Food, Thailand, and ‘US Market Leads Global Developments’ with information from Mr. Matt Einarson, Regional Director South East Asia, Alltech Asia-Pacific, United States. Moreover, there is also an opening speech by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niwat Chansiripornchai,  President of Thai Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (TAVLD), Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University who will be joined by the organizers to welcome and open this official press conference at Mercure Bangkok, Thailand.

Pet Fair South-East Asia will be a global initiative, driving change in the pet industry with the support of many launch partners, including leading global brands and institutions. Organized by VNU, known as organizers of VIV Asia and the Pet Fair Asia trade shows, Pet Fair South-East Asia will do its utmost to bring innovative leadership to the region. Supported by 21 regional associations, media partners, and the Asia Pet Alliance, Pet Fair South-East Asia will take place on October 14 to 16, 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Pet Fair South-East Asia will be a unique business-to-business trade-fair connecting existing networks and driving innovation downstream to pet owners. The exhibition will cover pet food brands, pet food ingredients, pet health, pet healthcare, pet supplies, pet accessories and services. This is a unique trade show exhibition in Thailand, which will be focused on business-to-business by linking and matchmaking traders and buyers for business purposes. Pet Fair South-East Asia will use its global network to connect overseas markets to South-East Asia. A world-class conference focusing on pet health, novelty ingredients and business trends will take place along with the show, inspiring entrepreneurs from the region and beyond in new directions.

The Visions of Industry People

Mr. Manuel Madani, Project Manager of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.:

“In 2030 the pet business will grow to 20 billion USD. The revolution starts today. Added value! We tend to forget this at times before competition emerges. The difference between the cost price and the final customer experience is what makes this better.

Pet shop, the pet parent and the pet! The final experience creates happy people and worthwhile sharing in their own communities. In new markets like the pet industry, it’s important that competition in a free market makes things better. This will start by better-performing pet shops sharing great stories and products with customers. Today 70% of the shops lack innovation, and e-commerce is cannibalizing business with up to 15% growth. This is a wakeup call to act. Pet Fair SEA will be about pet businesses becoming better continuously by offering greater care to pet owners. New markets must always avoid selling products at the lowest prices. This industry is about beloved family members: pets!” A few examples that Pet Fair SEA features include the world’s best brands who offer the best nutrition with the most novel ingredients, like insect protein, omega, supplements, and even CBD (USA). Non-food suppliers offer a digitalized world for dogs and cats with in-home sensors and robotics, looking after beloved dogs and cats while the owners are away. North-American and European brands will be showcasing innovations for the first time in ASEAN”

Mr. Matt Einarson, Regional Director South East Asia of Alltech Asia-Pacific, United States

“At the Alltech Center for Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition, scientists are making breakthroughs that can be taken from the barnyard to the backyard. Alltech is at the forefront of the latest scientific research that could help our pets live longer and have healthier lives. In order to live their lives to the best, pets require the right nutrition, care, exercise and attention. While technology will never replace a cat curled up in her owner’s lap or a devoted canine companion lying at his owner’s feet, it can simplify life with pets in several ways from nutrition to smart cameras.”

Mr. Viroj Limtrajitt, Marketing Director of Pet Lover Centre, Thailand

“Thailand macro has been forced to reshape the pet care business, which has changed from “Pet Lovers” to “Pet Parents”. From 2019 -2025, rapid urbanization, the growth of e-commerce and a greying population are the key factors to accelerate the pet sector boom.

However, retailers need to upgrade from economy and mid-price to premium products for both food and non-food items to encourage pet owners to spend more and enjoy better quality. Creating a good customer experience in click and brick-and-mortar businesses will allow pet owners to incorporate both online and offline channels.

The Pet Lovers Centre and The Pet Safari has been open in Thailand market for over 7 years. The pet care market is very healthy in terms of growth and is a promising market that will continue to grow for decades.”

Mr. Rik van Westendorp, CFO of Monchou Pet Food, Thailand

“The pet industry in Thailand was worth $2.8 billion in 2018 and is expected to continuously grow at a 10-15% rate per year. Pet food is the largest segment in the pet industry in Thailand and makes up 45% of the industry’s value. At Asian Alliance International, premium brand Monchou considers pets important members of the family and thus produces quality pet food using premium ingredients such as 100% human grade cuts of tuna meat.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Thailand is the world’s fourth largest pet food exporter, with a total export value of 35.5 billion baht in 2016. Export value in terms of price and quantity has grown at an 11% annual rate since 2011. Although Japan remains one of Thailand’s top pet food export destinations, in recent years it has also exported products to the US and Italy, which have also recorded impressive annual growth rates of 15% and 8%, respectively since 2011 as these countries are home to the largest number of pets globally.”

Dr. Kitika C.Patanakul, D.V.M Chief Executive Officer, Thonglor International Pet Hospital, Thailand

“In terms of service, Thonglor Pet Hospital has launched “Customer Delight” to enable operational effectiveness and to give them a competitive advantage. They are determined to bring proficiency and empathy to the system in order to enhance customer satisfaction and value. Moreover, one of the company’s top priorities is to constantly improve their veterinarians’ learning, development, and career advancement. Thonglor Pet Hospital is the first pet hospital in Thailand to establish a study abroad program for veterinarians. Every year they provide scholarships and send their veterinarians to develop their skill sets and update their knowledge of advanced technology.”

For more information, please visit www.petfair-sea.com

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Contact information:

Contact our International Market Developer, Mr. Manuel Madani ([email protected]) or  Ms. Kattika Zmugen ([email protected])

Media partnership, please contact Marketing and Communications, Ms. Saengtip ([email protected]) or Ms. Sasiwimon ([email protected])

Tel. +662 6700900 Ext. 122 or 216