First, this is not directed anyone in particular. It is directed at everyone. Don’t call me. Email me. Put it in writing. If you want us to follow your instructions, we must have them in writing. We cannot take responsibility for misunderstanding your needs, requirements, desires, or plans. At GDM, we are firm believers in […]
Continue ReadingPet Peeves
Sara’s Guest Pet Peeve
My pet peeve is emails that do not include contact information from the sender. Of course, it is easy to reply to emails; the issue is when follow up requires either a phone call or sending something. And yes, in most instances, I can look up the phone number or mailing address. However, if people […]
Continue ReadingMarine Cargo Insurance … Again
Again a shipping accident is in the news with the loss of over 500 containers from a ship sailing from Rotterdam to Sri Lanka. The containers were lost in the Bay of Biscay. For those whose cargo was insured, there was minimal loss. But for those who cargo was not insured, there was major loss. […]
Continue ReadingNot for Public Consumption
I am not happy. It seems that most of my rants are not for public consumption. When I am upset with you (whoever you are), I am prohibited from posting that particular peeve. (Sara is my editor and she is a strong believer in the “delete” key.) The result is a long period of without […]
Continue ReadingDon’t Call Me!
First, this is not directed at anyone in particular. It is directed at everyone. Don’t call me. Email me. Put it in writing. If you want us to follow your instructions, we must have them in writing. We cannot take responsibility for misunderstanding your needs, requirements, desires, or plans. At GDM, we are firm […]
Continue ReadingExpect Dramatic Increases in Pet Food Pricing in the Third Quarter 2012
As I write, a nice, gentle rain is falling outside our offices. This is just the third rain in about one month. Here in the US Midwest, we are suffering one of the worst droughts in decades. This drought is having a severe effect on crops, especially corn and soybeans. Both corn and soybeans reached […]
Continue ReadingForecast 2012: Pricing and Ingredients
In general, we are expecting rather stable pricing through 2012. Some ingredients have risen in price, while others have fallen. Potato: There was a poor potato harvest this year. As a result, potato prices have risen. Barley & Milo: Prices for these grains are also up. Corn: The heavy rainfall and heat in some areas […]
Continue ReadingPET FOOD TERMINOLOGY – GDM’S DEFINITIONS
There is a lot of confusion as to what various terms associated with pet food mean. Some terms have legal definitions and some terms are just marketing concepts. Let’s start with terms that have actual legal definitions. Organic: There are two organic classifications – USDA Certified Organic and Organic. To be USDA Certified Organic, a […]
Continue ReadingSuper Premium Pet Foods Are Too Expensive?
All too often, I hear that one or another of the super premium pet foods we represent is “too expensive.” My first response is that there is a price to be paid for quality. Quality ingredients, low-temperature cooking, and quality packaging all cost money. Upon further reflection, it really seems that quality super premium pet […]
Continue ReadingPricing Forecast for 2011
We expect pet food prices to increase about 5% during the first quarter of 2011. The primary reasons are: a) Weak Dollar b) Poor harvest in Russia c) Increased demand for commodities from China and India Weak Dollar The weak Dollar means that US commodities are relatively inexpensive on the world market. This results in […]
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