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.
1926
It Started with Singing Canaries
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.
Our Values
We strongly believe...
- Our people make the difference. Our people make the difference.
- We are passionate about what we do - especially about caring for pets.
- In straight talk especially when it is hard.
- In building relationships based on mutual trust and respect, while embracing diversity.
- We are demanding of ourselves and one another.
- We always strive for growth to win in the marketplace.
- We want to win but not at the expense of our employees, customers, suppliers, communities, stakeholders, or planet.
- We are committed to honest communications about our products and their benefits.