About Hartz

  • 1926

    It Started with Singing Canaries

    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.

  • 1930

    Business is for the Birds

    Max sold his canaries to stores such as R.H. Macy, Sears Roebuck, F.H. Woolworth, W.T. Grant, S.S Kresge and others.

  • 1932

    The Canaries Take Off

    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.

  • 1950

    Pet Care Growth

    Hartz is a formidable
    force in the pet care
    industry thanks to the
    company’s own
    distribution network.

  • 1959

    A Family Business

    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.

  • 1960

    Continued Growth

    Hartz launches the
    first flea collar.

  • 1970

    Hartz is Everywhere

    Hartz Mountain
    merchandise displaying
    their distinctive orange
    packaging occupied
    pet supply departments
    nationwide.

  • 1994

    The Company Expands

    Hartz acquires several
    specialized pet
    product companies
    including Wardley and
    L/M Animal Farms.

  • 1995

    Scientifically Speaking

    Hartz builds two state of-
    the-art laboratory and
    research facilities
    supporting the Hartz
    mission through innovative
    and technological
    solutions developed with
    proven science.

  • 1998

    Innovation

    Hartz launches new
    squeeze-on topical flea
    and tick treatments
    available in retail stores.

  • 2000

    J.W. Childs

    The Hartz Mountain
    Corporation was sold to
    the J.W. Childs
    Associates, LP, a leading
    private equity investment
    firm.

  • 2004

    Sumitomo

    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.

  • 2011

    Unicharm

    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.

  • 2015

    Reader's Digest

    Hartz is named Reader’s
    Digest Most Trusted
    Brand, Pet Category /
    Non-foods voted on by
    more than 4,500
    Americans.

  • 2018

    Women's Choice Award

    Women’s Choice Award
    Winner for America’s
    Most Recommended Dog
    Shampoo.

  • 1926
  • 1930
  • 1932
  • 1950
  • 1959
  • 1960
  • 1970
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 1998
  • 2000
  • 2004
  • 2011
  • 2015
  • 2018

Our Values

We strongly believe...

  1. Our people make the difference.
  2. We are passionate about what we do - especially about caring for pets.
  3. In straight talk especially when it is hard.
  4. In building relationships based on mutual trust and respect, while embracing diversity.
  5. We are demanding of ourselves and one another.
  6. We always strive for growth to win in the marketplace.
  7. We want to win but not at the expense of our employees, customers, suppliers, communities, stakeholders, or planet.
  8. We are committed to honest communications about our products and their benefits.