Thai-German Conference on “Pet Supplies for a Happy Life”

20 - 05 - 2025

Thai-German conference on “Pet supplies for a happy life” welcomed more than 100 participants at Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15. It began with opening remarks by Marius Mehner, GTCC Deputy Executive Director, followed by welcome remarks by Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy Bangkok. Nantapol Tantiwongampai, President of the Thai Pet Product Industry Association (TPIA), delivered a keynote speech and valuable insights into Thailand’s pet industry, highlighting current market dynamics and future growth opportunities. Subsequent expert presentations by Dr. Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions at Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF) and CEO of International Pet Business IPB GmbH, representing the Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe e.V. (ZZF), and Dr. Katrin Langner, Managing Director of the Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf e.V. (IVH), explored key trends in Germany’s pet sector, consumer behavior, regulatory frameworks, and economic developments. Highlights included nine German companies showcased their innovative solutions in pet food and care: BEWITAL petfood GmbH & Co. KG, Calysta Germany GmbH, DARF Deutschland GmbH, Dr. Clauder solutions for pets GmbH, PetCom Tierernährung GmbH & Co. KG, PLATINUM GmbH & Co. KG, SARIA A/S GmbH & Co. KG, sera GmbH, and Tackenberg Handelsges. mbH. The afternoon concluded with a panel discussion on “From Imports to Local Partnerships: How Foreign Brands Can Succeed in Thailand’s Pet Market,” featuring Nantapol Tantiwongampai, President of TPIA; Dr. Mongkol Maenmalai, DVM, Director, Petfood Industry Association (PIA); Somruedee Tansalarak, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Club Co., Ltd.; and Viroj Limtrajitt, Managing Director of Viva Premium Pet Stores Co., Ltd. The panelists shared their perspectives on successful collaboration models and the opportunities for foreign brands in the Thai pet market. We thank all speakers, company representatives, panelists, and our moderator Dr. Thunthip Pongpaiboon, DVM, for their contributions to this insightful and inspiring conference that fosters stronger Thai-German cooperation in the pet supplies sector. The conference, as part of the German Pet Supplies Delegation, was organised by GTCC in cooperation with SBS systems for business solutions, International Pet Business IPB GmbH, the ZZF, the Interzoo organizer WZF and the Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers IVH, within the framework of the Market Entry Programme supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).