Paul Tonnesen has been named chief executive officer of Petmate, a leading supplier and manufacturer of pet products in the USA. He takes over from Alice Tillett, who led the company through a decade of strong growth. Tillett will stay on in a consulting capacity to ensure a smooth transition, the company based in Arlington, Texas, said in a press release on Tuesday.
Tonnesen, previously chief executive officer of Oregon Tool and group global president of Fiskars, brings with him more than three decades of experience in consumer products leading global, billion-dollar suppliers and manufacturers, producing innovative solutions, and serving as a key partner to customers in dynamic industries with evolving sales channels. With extensive executive and board member experience, Tonnesen has used his robust network of contacts and industry experience to successfully lead organizations across the consumer landscape.
In a statement, the new chief executive said, “I am honoured to serve as Petmate’s next CEO and look forward to working alongside the talented Petmate team to grow relationships with our customers and partners and expand on the strong foundation of the business.”
Thanking “Alice for her guidance and strategic leadership of the business”, Tonneson said he was “incredibly excited for the future” and confident that Petmate would continue to deliver a “best-in-class portfolio of innovative pet products and brands”.
In her statement, Tillett said it had been her “greatest pleasure” to lead the dedicated Petmate team over the past 10 years. “I am extremely proud of our employees and their unwavering commitment to the company and to our customers,” she said. “Our team’s resilience over the years has been commendable.”
About her successor, she said, “Paul is a proven leader and an experienced executive, and I have the utmost confidence he will continue—and build upon—our success. I will be rooting for everyone at Petmate as they take these next steps.”
Founded in 1959 as Doskocil Manufacturing, Inc., Petmate provides products worldwide to enhance the lives of pets and their families. The company’s vision is to be the worldwide leader of solutions and excellence in the pet industry. Its products are available in a range of categories, including bedding, kennels, doghouses, feeding and watering products, litter maintenance products, toys, collars, leads, and travel. The company’s portfolio of brands includes Chuckit!, Pet Qwerks, Healthy Chews, Gamma2, JW and, La-Z-Boy.
Source: PR Newswire
