Royal Canin USA Inc history

By 1967, Cathary had given a name to his recipe--Royal Canin--and the following year Cathary closed his practice to concentrate entirely on producing pet foods.

Our worldwide headquarters was built in 1968 in southern France and remains one of the world's most advanced pet food manufacturing facilities.

By 1970, Cathary was ready to begin production on a larger scale.

In 1972, Cathary sold the company to animal feed giant Guyomarc'h; Royal Canin complemented Guyomarc'h's concentration on livestock.

The company also established its first research center, in Brittany in 1973, which was to enable it to develop new pet food products with a real scientific basis.

By the beginning of 1974 Royal Canin products are now sold in eight countries across Europe - France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

In 1980, Royal Canin introduced its new food, called AGR, the world's first large-breed-specific puppy food.

Pet Foods Plus had started business at the beginning of the 1980s as Farmer's Energy, originally to develop ethanol-based fuels when that market seemed to hold promise. Its acquisition by Royal Canin in 1987 marked the French company's entry into the French market.

After entering the North American market, Royal Canin turned south, opening a subsidiary and manufacturing operation in Brazil in 1990.

Whereas high-end, high-margin products represented only a tiny portion of the company's revenues--just one percent in 1991--Royal Canin placed its bets on gradual changes in the consumer market.

Paribas nearly sold off Royal Canin, for FFr 1 billion, in 1995.

Instead, Lagarde convinced its parent to take Royal Canin, listing on the Paris Bourse's secondary market in 1997.

Triouleyre, Nicole, 'Ralston Purina vient chasser sur les terres de Royal Canin,' La Tribune, October 28, 1999.

2000: Company acquires James Wellbeloved (U.K.); United States subsidiary changes name to Royal Canin USA Inc. and launches Royal Canin brand in United States market.

In 2001, Mars Inc. purchased Royal Canin for around United States $700 million.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Calorie Control CC cat food, 5.8 oz. cans, Code 449A, best by November 2006

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Calorie Control CC in Gel dog food, 12.7 oz. cans, Code 515B, best by April 2007

In 2008, Royal Canin, under its Mars parentage, spent $73 million to build a factory in Puslinch, Ontario.

Post-2010, the company built yet another factory in Korea, positioning itself to command a market share of the industry in Asia.

Market research shows that, by 2017, Royal Canin, along with its sister company Pedigree (also Mars owned), was dominating the pet food industry in India.