A family company goes worldwide

When a German immigrant named Claus Pohl moved to America in 1953, he set the course for the founding of the pet care brand “Bio-Groom”, which has developed into one of the most well-known grooming products over time. At the beginning of the 1970s, Claus Pohl was approached by a family friend and dog groomer to create a flea and tick shampoo that would also condition her customers’ coats. With the help of family members, “Bio-Groom” was made and distributed from the Pohl home. In 2013, Bio-Groom’s products are manufactured in a 4 500 m2 facility in Longview/Texas. The single shampoo from earlier has evolved into more than 60 different kinds of flea and tick products, shampoos, conditioners, wellness products and other speciality animal health care products. Export share of 30 per cent The products are distributed in more than 40 countries across the world. The export business accounts for about 30 per cent of the total turnover. The company finds great demand for its products especially in emerging markets like Russia and Indonesia, but also in leading Asian markets like Japan and Thailand. “Bio-Groom” is used by professional groomers, pet stores and top show handlers all over the world. Bio-Groom has acquired a reputation as a leader and innovator of superior pet care products. After his father’s death, Frank Pohl took over the company in 1994. Justin Pohl, his son, who is already involved in the family business, symbolises the third generation. Stringent guidelines Bio-Groom is proud of its ability to launch a steady stream of new innovations for the pet care market. The company employs two experienced laboratory chemists, who develop new products and supervise quality assurance. According to Frank Pohl, they use stringent guidelines to select only natural cosmetic-grade ingredients that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, yet perform effectively. A new product is never considered to carry the “Bio-Groom” brand name until all criteria are met, points out Frank Pohl. Once a product is approved and finalised, the process moves from the laboratory to the production department. Huge stainless steel tanks are used to mix products in quantities up to more than 27 000 l at one time. Bio-Groom’s production employees handle everything from mixing the formulas and filling containers to proper labelling. After careful inspection throughout the production process, all products are sent to the shipping department where pallets of freight are prepared for…