Cardinal Turns 60

By Carol Boker

Editor in Chief of Pet Product News International and Pet Style News

Two years ago, Pet Product News International celebrated 60 years in the pet industry. Throughout the year we focused on other retailers, manufacturers and distributors that were among our ranks—some many years older than that.

Now another of our grand manufacturers has hit the 60-year mark.
 
Cardinal Laboratories began in 1948 as a maker of human shampoos under the leadership of Larry Sica. The company answered demands from groomers for a whitening shampoo for dogs and then followed with other canine products.

Sica, who was committed to helping solve problems that pet owners faced, passed away in 1981. Leadership of the company passed to his son-in-law Tony de Vos.

“Larry always preached quality, and I learned this lesson from him,” de Vos said. “He said nothing is a mistake until it leaves this building, so we developed a strong commitment to total quality control.”

Cardinal is well known for its Crazy Pet brand and its recent Gold Medal Pet Formula 30 shampoos. The company has also won environmental awards for its Azusa, Calif., manufacturing facility.

“We’re proud of what Cardinal has accomplished, and we value the relationships that we've built up in the pet industry,” said Barbara Denzer, vice president. “This is a company of ideas, and that's what keeps us young and vibrant after six decades."

Happy anniversary, Cardinal. May you continue to excel in your field for many years to come.

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