SmartPak
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pet supplies, Equestrian products |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Becky Minard, Paal Gisholt |
| Headquarters | Plymouth, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Customized nutritional supplements for horses and dogs, equestrian apparel, equipment, canine accessories |
| Parent | Henry Schein Animal Health (majority ownership) |
SmartPak is a company based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, established in 1999 by Harvard Business School alumni Becky Minard and Paal Gisholt. The firm focuses on providing customized nutritional supplements packaged in daily doses for horses and dogs. Its innovative patented delivery system streamlines the process of giving supplements and medications. Over time, SmartPak has broadened its product range to include equestrian apparel, equipment, and canine accessories.
History
The idea for SmartPak originated with Becky Minard, who identified challenges in consistently administering supplements at her horse’s stable, where managing numerous supplements for several horses was complex. She created a method to individually preselect, measure, and package supplements tailored for each horse.
In 2005, Inc. Magazine recognized SmartPak Equine as the 106th fastest-growing company in the United States, marking it as the first equine business to achieve this distinction. The company has been listed on the Inc. 500/5000 rankings on nine occasions.
In 2007, SmartPak issued a recall for its LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food following supplier concerns about melamine contamination associated with Chinese exporters. Although independent laboratory testing found no melamine in the affected product, a further recall was initiated for Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Dog Food due to cross-contamination at Chenango Valley Pet Foods. SmartPak acted swiftly to inform customers and subsequently strengthened its vendor assessment procedures along with chemical testing standards.
SmartPak produces equine-related media content, including the video series "If Horses Were People," which explores horse behavior.
Towards the end of 2007, SmartPak secured a $25 million equity infusion from North Bridge Growth Equity aimed at expanding its product lineup, technological capabilities, and leadership team. The company launched its inaugural retail location in 2006 in Natick, Massachusetts. In July 2014, Henry Schein Animal Health acquired a majority 60% ownership stake in SmartPak; the remaining shares are held by Oak Hill Capital Partners alongside SmartPak’s management team.
SmartPak’s operational approach was highlighted in Jim Champy’s 2007 publication Outsmart! How To Do What Your Competitors Can’t and also featured in Carrie Morgan’s 2015 business title Above the Noise - Creating Trust, Value & Reputation Online Using Basic Digital PR.