Our story begins in 1926 when an almost penniless 26-year old Max Stern decided to leave his native Germany for the promise of America. Germany was suffering from the ravages of the first World War - unemployment was high, inflation out of control and opportunities for a young man with ambition were very bleak. The allure of America's stability, freedom and economic opportunity beckoned.

A childhood friend of Max's, a local pet dealer who had borrowed a modest sum from Max, informed him that because of the rampant inflation he could only pay back the loan with 5,000 singing canaries. Max accepted the canaries and decided to sell them in New York City to try to recoup the monies owed him.

Max negotiated free passage to America on the Hamburg American Steamship Line and arrived in New York not knowing a word of English. But he did sell the singing canaries to the John Wannamaker Department Store at Astor Place in Manhattan and soon thereafter established his business nearby at 36 Cooper Square.

Max Stern went back to his native Germany again and again and returned to America each time with more singing canaries that he now sold to a growing customer base including R.H. Macy, Sears Roebuck, F.W. Woolworth, W.T. Grant, S.S. Kresge and others. By 1932, Max Stern was the largest livestock importer in America and decided to expand into packaged bird foods. The Hartz Mountain line of pet products was begun.

In 1959, Max's son, Leonard joined the company and expanded Hartz Mountain 's product lines into goldfish, tropical fish and a full line of aquatic supplies. They expanded again in the 60's with dog and cat products. Modern research and manufacturing facilities were built, a large sales force was formed, and strategically located regional distribution centers were established. In the early 1980s Hartz products were sold in more than 40,000 U.S. and Canadian retail outlets.

In the 1990's Hartz continued expanding, adding the Wardley® and L/M Animal Farms™ brands as well as rawhide and natural treat manufacturing facilities in America and Brazil. Research facilities continued to grow and a new generation of pet care products was introduced under the Hartz® Control Pet Care System® brand, the first line of veterinary quality flea control products to be available over the counter.

In 2000, after more than 75 years as a "family business", the Stern family sold The Hartz Mountain Corporation to a fund managed by J.W. Childs Associates, LP, a leading private equity investment firm. New management was brought in and the company continued to grow over the next couple years. A renewed focus on research and development resulted in many innovative new products being added to the Hartz line-up.

Early in 2004, Hartz initiated a major brand revitalization, upgrading its logo, redesigning its packaging, upgrading the web site and launching a new advertising campaign to build awareness for the "new Hartz".

In June, 2004, The Hartz Mountain Corporation was acquired by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA) together with its parent, Sumitomo Corporation (SC). Sumitomo Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated global trading firms with trade, distribution and diversified investments in a wide range of industries and commodities, including industrial and consumer goods. The acquisition will allow Hartz the opportunity to undertake a number of new business initiatives, such as the development of new markets and distribution channels in Asia and Europe.

Today The Hartz Mountain Corporation operates as a company with a strong focus on customer service and innovation with more than 1,500 quality pet products for dogs, cats, parakeets, canaries, parrots, cockatiels, finches, goldfish, tropical fish, reptiles, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits. Hartz is committed to animal health and is actively involved in the community, supporting shelters and other humane animal organizations.