Efficiency unleashed: Optimizing your pet food business

Petfood Essentials

April 27, 2026

Amid economic uncertainty or turmoil, every pet food or treat company is looking to operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. On April 27, Petfood Essentials, an interactive seminar, experts will provide practical tips and suggest tools and technologies, including AI, to control costs, streamline operations, optimize formulations and supply chains, and manufacture efficiently, whether on your own or through a co-manufacturer.

An interactive exercise will help participants learn how to apply these insights and take actionable ideas back to their own businesses.

Program addresses operational challenges across business functions

The 2026 program will cover topics including macroeconomic outlook and market impacts, formulation optimization using software solutions, supply chain maximization including new ingredient sourcing, production facility setup for optimal efficiency, and packaging cost reduction strategies that maintain quality and branding integrity.

An interactive exercise will help participants apply insights and develop actionable ideas for their own businesses, whether manufacturing independently or through co-manufacturing partnerships.

“Companies are looking to operate as efficiently as possible,” she said. “Or, they may be facing changes and difficulties that are forcing them to revise their business plans, even cut back — but they want to do so in a way that doesn’t harm their businesses or brands long term,” said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry.

The seminar aims to provide attendees with concrete ideas and options for streamlining operations while identifying cost-saving opportunities through optimized formulations, supply chains, packaging materials and associated expenses.

 

Discover:

  • A macroeconomic outlook and its impact on the market
  • How to optimize your formulations using software and other means
  • Ways to maximize your supply chain, including possibly finding new ingredient and material sources
  • Ideas for setting up your production facility for optimal efficiency and streamline your processing using AI, lean manufacturing and other tools
  • Ways to save on packaging costs without sacrificing quality and branding

Petfood Essentials sets the foundation for the entire Petfood Forum experience with more education and more networking, in an informal setting. The full agenda and registration will be announced Fall 2025.

2025 Petfood Essential Sponsors

Balchem
Extru-Tech Incorporated
Merieux NutriSciences
Midwest Laboratories
North American Renderers Association
Parker Freeze Dry
Pet Food Alliance
PrintPack
Reading Bakery Systems
The Peterson Company
Wenger Manufacturing Co