Issue 55

Horizon speaks to the founder of Bozzi pet products, which specialises in chemical-free, organic pet products that are all human-tested before being released into the market.

According to the Thai Pet Product Industries Association, the country’s pet product industry is worth 20 billion baht (US$568 million), with the trend set to grow by 10% annually. The boom is due to the younger generation who identify themselves as “pet parents”, taking care of pets like members of the family. This has driven the growth in related businesses such as pet food, pet jewelry, pet health care products and pet grooming services.

One company capitalising on this market is Bozzi.

“The line of pet grooming products was founded in 2013 when my family took in two stray Persian cats,” says its founder Inkathe Chotiphansiri. “Most of the cats’ fur had fallen out and they had skin infections. I started caring for them and treating them, and as my family already manufactures skincare and spa products, I adapted the products for pet use and eventually the cats fur grew back.”

Since then, Chotiphansiri has developed a range of products while overseeing the company’s marketing. Now, all Bozzi products are first human-tested before being sold to customers. As Chotiphansiri’s mother is a certified herbal pharmacist, the pair ensure that there are no chemicals, such as foaming agents or steroids in the pet products. Products include shampoos made with aloe vera and turmeric extracts for hypoallergenic dogs or from moringa oil and spirulina extracts for puppies and small breeds.

“We receive a lot of feedback from customers who send us pictures of their pet before and after using our products,” says Chotiphansiri. “As Bozzi is human-grade, some of our customers have even tried using the pet balm and pet shampoo themselves.”

Initially sold in department stores, pet clinics and hospitals in Thailand, Bozzi now has distributors in Taiwan and Singapore. “The DITP has been immensely supportive, we qualified to join Interpets 2016 in Tokyo, Japan in April, and we also participated in business matching activities in Osaka during the trip,” says Chotiphansiri. “From this, we received orders for samples, and our distributor in Japan obtained the necessary import certifications from the Japanese authorities.”

Bozzi has participated in the BIGBIH (Bangkok International Gift and Bangkok International Houseware) fair since 2015, receiving good feedback from visitors.

“I think it’s essential for smaller brands like us to get recognition by organising booths at trade fairs like BIGBIH,” says Chotiphansiri. “Buyers and visitors at BIGBIH have both the purchasing power and the appreciation for lifestyle and design products. It’s one of the must-attend shows of the year.”

One of the main challenges of producing organic products is to control the cost of raw materials as prices for herbs change seasonally. “We grow some of the herbs ourselves while sourcing others,” says Chotiphansiri. “It’s very difficult to keep the prices affordable but we do so because we want Thai people to use the products as well.”

Chotiphansiri is working hard to export more of her products to new markets in the near future.

“My goal is to increase distribution to as many countries as possible,” she says. “Many foreign markets appreciate organic and herbal products, and I believe that there is a lot of room for growth for pet products both in Thailand and other countries.”

For more information, visit www.bozzipet.com

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub