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. Max Stern immigrated to the United States with 5,000 singing canaries he accepted as a repayment of a loan from a childhood friend.
Max sold his canaries to stores such as R.H. Macy, Sears Roebuck, F.H. Woolworth, W.T. Grant, S.S Kresge and others.
The canary business had grown; Max Stern was the largest live- stock importer in America and decided to expand into pack- aged bird food. The Hartz Mountain line of pet products was born.
Hartz is a formidable
force in the pet care
industry thanks to the
company’s own
distribution network.
Max’s son, Leonard
Stern joins the comp
any and expands its
product line into
goldfish, tropical fish
and a full line of
aquatic supplies.
Hartz launches the
first flea collar.
Hartz Mountain
merchandise displaying
their distinctive orange
packaging occupied
pet supply departments
nationwide.
Hartz acquires several
specialized pet
product companies
including Wardley and
L/M Animal Farms.
Hartz builds two state of-
the-art laboratory and
research facilities
supporting the Hartz
mission through innovative
and technological
solutions developed with
proven science.
Hartz launches new
squeeze-on topical flea
and tick treatments
available in retail stores.
The Hartz Mountain
Corporation was sold to
the J.W. Childs
Associates, LP, a leading
private equity investment
firm.
The Hartz Mountain
Corporation was acquired
by Sumitomo Corporation
of Americas (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 industrial and
consumer goods.
Hartz becomes a joint
venture of Sumitomo and
Unicharm Corporation, a
leading consumer goods
company based in Japan.
Unicharm entered into the
pet-care business in 1986
and is currently the
leading pet care
manufacturer in Japan.
Hartz is named Reader’s
Digest Most Trusted
Brand, Pet Category /
Non-foods voted on by
more than 4,500
Americans.
Women’s Choice Award
Winner for America’s
Most Recommended Dog
Shampoo.
