Full-range stockist with its own brands

Rafael Arqué founded his company in 1997. His intention was to offer the Spanish pet product trade a complete service that supplied attractive products covering all aspects of pet owning without being tied to certain brands and manufacturers.  Although the range initially comprised purely chew products and treats for dogs and cats, it was quickly expanded to include accessories and complete foods too. And to satisfy requests from the customers, food and accessories for birds, rodents, fish and reptiles were soon also incorporated into the range. However, requisites for dogs and cats, products that generate by far the most sales for Spanish pet product dealers, are still the main focus and the biggest money-spinners.Over 80 per cent of the products are marketed under the "Arquizoo" brand and the rest under the "Wind" brand. The majority of "Arquizoo" products are chew and treat products, such as the large selection of sticks and rewards similar to dog biscuits. To offer variety to consumers and their pets and to generate new sales opportunities for the speciality trade, the individual product lines are constantly being expanded and updated. A wide range of dog and cat apparel and dog and cat beds is also marketed under the "Arquizoo" label. The range is rounded off by shampoos, collars and leads and further accessories. And the company has even taken up products that tend to be regarded as more exotic, such as parrot food.The "Wind" brand primarily covers litter products for cats and small animals, but the undisputed classics and long-running sales successes so far for this label are the various kinds of wet food in cans and trays for dogs and cats. This underlines the fact that the retractable leads also marketed under the "Wind" label aren't the only product that the company wants to offer to its specialist dealers as an alternative to other brands.At its head office in Les Franqueses del Valles, close to Barcelona, the company has its own production plant, administrative offices and a warehouse. Arquivet employs over 30 staff, plus a further 12 field sales operatives travelling around in Spain and Portugal. Its customers include over2 000 specialist retailers, along with a number of vets and Spanish wholesale firms. The company is also active on the export front: with exports accounting for 12 per cent of overall sales and with export customers in Portugal, southern France, Italy and North Africa, this aspect of its operations is still at a relatively…