As pet humanization accelerates worldwide, demand for premium, functional, and clean-label pet food is growing faster than the overall market.
Winning market share now requires delivering all three at once: differentiated product design × stable supply × cost competitiveness. Note: Market figures may vary by research firm depending on definitions (categories, regions, and methodology).
OEM Manufacturing Is Getting More Complex
1. Differentiation is harder due to supplier concentration
Relying on a limited number of regions and OEM partners often leads to similar ingredients and similar product designs, making differentiation difficult.
Limited OEM capacity can delay your desired timeline.
MOQs and facility constraints reduce options for functional ingredients and processing methods.
Brands can end up in price competition, making it harder to build premium value.
2. Supply chain risk from Europe-dependent OEM routes
Dependence on European OEM production can introduce ongoing supply chain exposure.
Lead times can extend to 45+ days due to shipping delays.
Freight costs can surge (up to 3×) driven by geopolitical risk.
Delays increase stockouts and lost sales opportunities.
3. Regulatory, quality, and labeling barriers when scaling across regions
The more countries you operate in, the more complex compliance becomes.
Differences in regulations, labeling rules, and ingredient/nutrition declarations.
Certification requirements and audits (e.g., HACCP, GMP).
Import/export documentation, HS codes, certificates of origin, quarantine, and customs clearance requirements.
Completely avoids Red Sea / Suez Canal route risks.
Flexible ingredient sourcing by leveraging each region’s strengths.
Reduces the risk of ending up with the same recipes as competitors.
Strengthens BCP through diversified sourcing and production regions.
Our Strengths
“End-to-end Support × Recipe Development Expertise.”
Choose a partner that directly drives results. From market analysis to recipes, packaging, logistics, and overseas negotiation, we support your challenge with proven execution.
We introduce our five pillars that connect market research, development, manufacturing, logistics, packaging, and negotiations to real outcomes.
1) Product Planning
Cross-analyze market, ingredients, nutrition, and manufacturing to propose the optimal solution.
Based on past data, we propose a product concept that satisfies target price range, palatability, and functionality—in as little as two weeks.
Market research
Ingredient analysis
Nutritional design
Concept proposal to recipe development in as little as 2 weeks
2) Recipe Development Capability
Proprietary recipe DB × Each partner’s R&D and nutritionist teams
Strong track record across grain-free, novel proteins, senior functional diets, and more.
Co-development by aligning our recipe DB and market requirements with your team.
Covers AAFCO and Japan Fair Trade Council guidelines for pet food labeling/claims.
Know-How
R&D/Nutritionists
AAFCO standards
Recipe development aligned with global quality standards
3) Packaging Manufacturing Support
Go beyond “just packing”—we design packaging specifications to prevent oxidation.
Deep knowledge of materials such as zip pouches, transparent vapor-metalized barriers, aluminum vapor-metalized films, etc.
Design specifications considering oxidation, humidity, and light degradation
Material-optimized design
様々な包装素材の特性を熟知し、製品に最適なパッケージングを提案
Quality degradation prevention
酸化・湿度・光による品質劣化を防ぐ包装仕様の設計
包装ラインの手配
チャック付き包装やマット加工など高度な包装技術に対応した委託先を厳選・手配
4) Logistics & Customs Support
“unexpected costs” with multi-forwarder options and FX-linked quotations.
Shipping experience across Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
End-to-end support for certificate of origin, HS code declarations, and label reviews
Global support across 4 hubs
FX-linked quotations
Import declaration documentation support
Proven savings of up to JPY 200,000 per 40ft container
5) Smooth Overseas Negotiation
We handle all negotiations with OEM factories and packaging suppliers on your behalf.
Bilingual staff in Japanese/English/Thai for seamless communication.
Progress is visualized so you can focus on decisions and post-launch sales expansion.
Multilingual support
Zero time-difference response
Progress visualization and regular updates
Full transparency through regular reporting and meetings.
How OEM/ODM Development Works
Our “Overseas OEM/ODM Pet Food Support” service helps clients by sourcing OEM factories in major producing countries such as Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and supporting product planning, development, manufacturing, and shipping.
Main product categories
Dry dog food
Freeze-dried raw dog food
Dry cat food
Freeze-dried raw cat food
Dog treats
Cat treats
Air-dried pet food
Retort pouch products
Other categories upon request
Other items we can support
Koi / tropical fish feed
Hamster feed
Bird feed
Turtle feed
Rabbit feed
We provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs across various pet food types such as dry food, retort products, and treats.
Process (Example)
1. Hearing/Consultation
First, tell us your requirements and vision. Share details such as use case, target pets, special ingredients/formulas, and target price range.
2. Planning & Proposal
Based on the information gathered, we propose the optimal plan. We offer unique and competitive proposals aligned with your brand through market research and trend analysis.
3. Quotation & Product Specification Sheet
Once you agree with the proposal, we submit a project quotation and product specification sheet.
4. Review of Similar Samples
After specifications are finalized, we will provide similar samples if available for your review. You can evaluate quality, taste, aroma, and provide feedback.
Samples may not be available depending on the product.
5. Packaging Finalization
Once the product is confirmed, we proceed to packaging decisions. We can pack into your existing designed packaging or into plain PP bags as well.
Contract packaging arrangements are also available.
6. Contract & Purchase Order
After final packaging confirmation, we proceed with formal contracting and ordering, and production begins.
7. Production & Delivery
We manage QC and scheduling to deliver within your requested timeframe. We also report progress and product quality throughout the project as needed.
Contact / Consultation
Email nagai@first-reach.org We reply within 1 business day.
