Press Room
Lambert Kay Acquired by PBI/Gordon Corporation
February 2010
PBI/Gordon Corporation, a Kansas City, Missouri company, has announced
the acquisition of the Lambert Kay® line of pet products from
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. This acquisition significantly strengthens
PBI/Gordon’s presence in the consumer pet care marketplace,
adding several product categories to the company’s existing
Trophy® Animal Health Care and Prozyme® product lines.
“We
established an objective to diversify into the consumer pet specialty
market ten years ago,” says Krystal Cartwright, Vice President
of Sales for PBI/Gordon’s Consumer Products Group. “The
addition of the Trophy pet line to our product categories in 2002
was a step in that direction. The purchase of the Lambert Kay product
line confirms our commitment to this market,” says Cartwright, “and
we are very excited to explore the potential for developing new products
to add to the existing portfolio.”
PBI/Gordon has maintained
a presence in animal health for many years, marketing feed supplements
and Gordon’s Farm products for protection of livestock and
companion animals . “Our consumer customers have pets,” Cartwright
explains. “It’s a natural expansion,” she continued.
Lambert Kay retail accounts can expect the same high level of customer
service from PBI/Gordon that they have received from Church & Dwight
, according to Cartwright. “And this will give our current
farm store customers a broader selection from a single vendor”,
she added. “With our long-term relationships in this market,
we see an opportunity to grow the Lambert Kay brand with Gordon’s
traditional farm store customers,” concluded Cartwright.
Robert
M. Nicastro, Church & Dwight Brand Manager for the Lambert Kay
product line, will continue to work with the products for PBI/Gordon.
Nicastro has over 20 years of experience in the pet industry and
is currently in charge of managing all initiatives for all Lambert
Kay product categories. “In addition to being a huge asset
in the transition of the product line, Nicastro’s long term
experience will enhance our internal expertise in servicing the pet
market,” said Cartwright.
The Lambert Kay brand is well known
in the pet care industry, especially for the Fresh N Clean® product
group. Lambert Kay Linatone® Food Supplements have been a leading
pet shop item since the 1950’s. Avitron® Liquid Bird Vitamin
Supplement and a number of other Lambert Kay pet care products have
been standards for pet owners for over 40 years.
The Lambert Kay
product line started when Julius Kay began making nutritional supplements
for his own pets in 1948. When demand began to extend beyond family
and friends, exceeding his ability to supply his products, he teamed
up with Dr. Lambertson, who had an understanding of manufacturing.
Together they formed the Lambert Kay company in the 1950’s.
Since that time the product line and brand have continued to grow
through acquisitions and the addition of new product categories,
including shampoos, grooming aids, repellents and interactive toys.
Acquisition by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. in the late 90’s
opened the way for the addition of odor control products carrying
the Arm & Hammer® brand. The current product portfolio includes
training pads for puppies with pheromone attractant and odor control
and pet odor destroyers.
PBI/Gordon has also been in business for
over 60 years. Founded in 1947, the company initially met the manufacturing
needs of much larger companies. Experienced in selling feed supplements
and on-animal pest control products, they saw an opportunity in the
animal health market and acquired Pegasus Laboratories, Inc., a manufacturer
of animal health products for the consumer and ethical veterinary
markets, in 1999. This acquisition included the PRN Pharmacal veterinary
products brand and the Trophy® Animal Health brand for the retail
market.
PBI/Gordon is best known in the animal health market for
their EMT® Gel, a natural collagen wound care product that is
enthusiastically supported by hunting dog owners. Dyne®, a dietary
supplement that provides high caloric intake for both performance
and convalescing animals is also a well known brand. The company
also acquired Prozyme® digestive enzyme product line in 2008
and is about to introduce a feline specific formulation to that product
group.
“We have a commitment to animal health,” reiterates
Cartwright. “The marketplace will be seeing new products and
renewed vigor in the Lambert Kay line with this acquisition,” she
affirms. For additional information concerning the Lambert Kay product
line, visit www.lambertkay.com.
Press Contacts
April Allenbrand
Animal Products Marketing Manager
(816) 460-6257 |
