Case Study: Stride Pet Products, UK
Innovation and Sustainability - How one UK pet brand is redefining the world of pet products.
Stride Pet Products approached us in the summer of 2024 with one goal, to help them create a range of pet products that were innovative and sustainable, and custom pet products that would stand the test of time.
Stride Pet Products is a UK-based pet brand with a strong focus on functional design and responsible manufacturing. From the outset, the Stride team had a clear vision: to create pet products that were durable, practical, and environmentally considered, without compromising on performance or brand identity.
Like many emerging brands, Stride had ambitious ideas but faced many barriers when trying to bring those ideas to market at scale. The main barriers were finding a manufacturing partner and a company who truly understood high quality custom made pet products. Enter Bespoke Pet Products.
We were tasked with a full scale creation. From a rebranding of their old tired logo and supporting brand assets to a total organisation of their product range. Originally, Stride Pets wanted to cast their net wide and offer everything from natural rubber dog toys, cat toys, dog beds and cat feeding products. Although this will come around soon, we advised Stride to focus on two core categories and just on dogs for now.
THE KEY TO STRIDE'S SUCCESS
Stride Pets emphasised they wanted to be seen as innovative and sustainable, and as a result create pet products that solved problems and leave no trace, and that meant using natural and / or recycled materials where possible. This was an easy task for us because we also share the same values as Stride.
As Stride opted for our fully bespoke made service, we had free reign on where we could take things. We collaborated with Stride via video calls, where we listened to their ideas and advised them on how we could make them happen, within time and within budget.
Innovative + Sustainable Pet Products
Innovation lies at the heart of what we do at Bespoke Pet Products. We decided to focus on three core categories, and three of the most popular pet categories to date, dog toys, dog walking and dog feeding. All three categories had to stand together and look connected, but also adhere to Stride's mission of being innovative and sustainable.
Stride Rope Toys
Rope dog toys are a great product to add into the mix, they are very affordable and they come in just about any shape and size. They are in demand but can also be seen as filler products to beep up your product offering.
We kept them in-tune with the Stride ethos of sustainability and created them with 90% hemp and 10% nylon, this keeps them natural but also tough.
Geo-Ball Treat Dispenser
The first product we designed and manufactured was their Geo-Ball Treat Dispenser. This all natural rubber dog ball comes in three sizes and is made from 80% natural rubber, natural hardeners and natural pigment dyes, there is absolutely no toxins in this dog toy. It acts as a treat dispenser, training toy, chew toy and fetch toy, this was a way for Stride to cover as many bases as possible with just one toy. We opted for this slick marble effect by mixing two colours and we finished it off with the embossed Stride logo as well as placing them on their very own backing cards to help them stand out on store shelves.
Stride Silicone Lickmats
Next up are the Stride Silicone Lickmats. We created 4 unique designs for Stride and kept the MOQ low on them to help with funding other product ranges. We opted for a pastel colour pallet to keep in theme with their sustainability goals and keep them free of TPR. These are 100% human-grade silicone lickmats. They are finished by wrapping them in their own FSC certified cardboard sleeve.
Stride Adventure Lead + Collar
We had a lot of fun designing and manufacturing this range of walking products. The Stride Adventure Lead and Adventure Collar are two stand out pieces that ooze fun, innovation and sustainability. Strength and comfort were the two core factors requested by Stride as well as a standout design. We first designed a one-off camouflage for Stride, which could be used on further walking products to extend the range. Second, we went all in on the hardware. The lead features 84% recycled polyester, 10% polyethylene, 6% elastane, which gives it a strength to comfort ratio and a pull force of 50kg. Whilst the collar features 90% Polyester Jacquard and 10% elastane, which makes it super smooth, strong and comfortable. The funky Stride camo follows through on the leads also. The hardware on both the lead and collar are anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, which is the absolute best you can get. Both are finished off on their own backing cards and as requested by Stride, attached ot the board prior to shipping. This is a true shelf ready pet product. Stride have already had major success with the Adventure lead and collar, having shown at multiple trade shows around the UK and Europe, Stride informs us it was the Adventure range which got the most attention on the trade show stands and in respective stores. We look forward to developing this range with Stride in the near future.
Private Label vs Bespoke Made FAQ
How does your private label / white label service work?
We have a set range of pet products that are tried and tested that you can access easily. You simply choose the product you like, and we add your logo to the product. You can also choose custom colours and custom packaging to make your brand stand out further. Our private label service is all about easily launching new products or a new brand with low minimum order quantities with some products having an MOQ of just 100 units. This service is about speed and low cost, whilst offering you outstanding service and product quality.
How does your bespoke pet product service work?
Our bespoke service is for companies who want to design their own unique pet products from scratch, this means products that have never been seen in the market before. The process is a bit more complex and has more upfront costs but it's the normal steps brands take to distinguish themselves as leaders. MOQ for bespoke made generally start at 300pc to 500pc.
Step 1. Tell us about your project. We are happy to discuss on email or phone, email is preferred as we have a log of ideas and important points. We like to move to the design stage as soon as possible and for this we request you have either a finished design or at least some sketches to give us an idea of what you are looking to create.
Step 2. Share your designs. By this we mean technical drawings which show the sizes, materials and manufacturing details. If you do not have a technical design we will need to draw one for you. The costs vary from £100 to £200 depending on the product and the technicality. After we have completed the drawing, we can give you an estimated cost per piece, but an accurate cost will come after we have made your first sample.
Step 3. After you have signed off the drawing, we move to the first sample stage. We always sample bespoke pet products first. Depending on the product, it may take between 2 weeks to 4 weeks to receive your first sample. Important to note, we give you the exact price of each product after we have made your sample, as we will know the complexities and timeframes involved.
Step 4. After you have received your sample, and you are happy, we move to the bulk order stage. We create your bulk order to the same specifications as your sample. Depending on the product bulk order can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
Step 5. Delivery. We offer sea freight and air freight. Sea freight is more common with large bulky orders due to more affordable shipping costs, and can take up to 5 weeks. Air freight is faster and more expensive and should only be used if you are needing your new order for a deadline or important product launch. We will share your shipping freight when we quote you for the bulk order, so you will know the full costs involved.
Step 6 - Final notes. Repeat orders have discounts applied. You will be the sole owner of the design, we don't share this design with any other brands. We are happy to sign your NDA.
I have never designed pet products before, how do I begin?
We work with brands and individuals at all levels, from well known high street pet brands to start-up brands just setting out. We understand the language of enthusiasm and help you to harness that no matter what level you are at. We are here to support you no matter what level you are at.
How long will delivery take?
Delivery times vary, depending on the service (private label vs bespoke). As well as that the type of product can determine the delivery time.
Private Label: Generally faster delivery times from payment as there is less design work. Sample delivery can take two weeks from sample payment with bulk order taking 4-5 weeks (sea freight) and 1-2 weeks (air freight) from bulk order payment.
Bespoke Service: Sample time from sample payment could take 1-3 weeks depending on the product type and how complex the sample is (unique dog bed being more complex than a rubber dog toy). Bulk order delivery from bulk order payment can take 4-5 weeks (sea freight) and 1-2 weeks (air freight). Sea freight is the most economic option but requires more time.
It is worth noting, we can forgo the long sample freight times and show you photographs and video of the samples in order to speed up the total order time. You just have to make the decision that feels right for your business.
VIEW OUR PRIVATE LABEL PET PRODUCTS
Our private label pet product service is for those who want to access high quality pet products with zero fuss. It has never been easier to access high quality custom made pet products. We offer a lot of customisation too, from custom colours, custom logos and custom packaging. We make sure you are well positioned within your given markets. If you wanted to create something totally unique, you should consider our bespoke made service.
We are waiting for your questions!
Want to get started creating your own custom made pet products? Get in touch.
