GREEN BAY, Wis. — Carnivore Meat Company, award-winning manufacturer of premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats, has grown 204% over the last three years, earning it praise as one of the “fastest growing private companies in the United States” on the Inc. 5000 annual listing.

Out of the 5,000 small, independent businesses listed, Carnivore Meat Company is number 1,966 in terms of rapid growth.

“Our rapid growth trajectory is directly attributed to our loyal customers as well as our dedicated and caring employees,” said Lanny Viegut, CEO and owner of Carnivore Meat Company. “Industry trends toward all-natural freeze-dried pet food and treats have also had an overall positive impact on our business and others in the raw pet food category, significantly boosting the demand for the products we manufacture.”

Carnivore Meat Company manufactures Vital Essentials products, as well as the brand’s RAW BAR dog chews and cat food formulas. It also produces for private label pet food and treat brands, co-packs and provides ingredient components globally.

"Our anticipation of significant growth trends in the category coupled with our culture of finding ways to say yes to new opportunities led to a significant expansion of our Ontario facility and the purchase of our second manufacturing facility and new corporate headquarters," Viegut added. "The investments uniquely position us to seize emerging opportunities in the rapidly growing category of freeze-dried pet foods and treats."

The company recently expanded its freeze-dried offerings under the Vital Essentials brand with freeze-dried hemp-infused chews that offer custom-spectrum hemp oil formulations, which the brand showcased at SuperZoo 2019 Aug. 20 to 22.

“Currently, the hemp inclusion treat market is highly fragmented with products sold primarily online or through very limited distribution,” Viegut comments. “Additionally, our freeze-dried raw treats are the perfect carrier for hemp oil. Comprised of only four ingredients, our chews are highly nutritional, all-natural meat products with no artificial ingredients or additives, which is precisely what discerning pet parents are searching for.”

Vital Essentials products manufactured by Carnivore Meat Company are sold in more than 6,000 pet specialty retail stores across the US, as well as online through Chewy and Amazon, and exported to 14 markets abroad.

Carnivore Meat Company has also been recognized for its rapid growth by Green Bay Area entities in recent years, earning the Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor’s Export Achievement Award, and the Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction, according to the company.

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