In just 20 years - and despite a major fire in 1999 - CJ WildBird Foods of the United Kingdom has become a world leader in the research, design, development and supply of wild bird food and feeding products.
The company was founded in 1987 and has enjoyed rapid growth and huge success. More than 155 staff are currently employed at the company's headquarters near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, and at its branches in the Netherlands and the USA.
The company's business has tripled in size since the year 2000
Success:
Success has been achieved by:
1. creating a market through the provision of education and advice
2. supplying high-quality and technically superior products at competitive prices
3. developing innovative new products based on the company's knowledge of the wildlife that will use them
4. providing the highest levels of service
Patents:
The company has a number of patents and some of its bird feeders are manufactured under license in the USA. Virtually all of its wooden products, such as nest boxes and bird tables, are made from wood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices and to reward good forest management. www.fsc.org
Subbuteo Books
In January 2000 CJ WildBird Foods purchased Subbuteo Natural History Books, the specialist supplier of wildlife, natural history and travel books. Subbuteo stocks thousands of books, maps and charts including many hard-to-find titles. Visit www.wildlifebooks.com to find out more.
Europe
In September 2002 CJ WildBird Foods expanded its European presence, acquiring a Dutch company involved in the design, manufacture and sale of feeders, nest boxes and a range of other wooden products to form a new branch based in the Netherlands. Since then, this branch has expanded its operations by establishing mail order operations in a number of European countries:
Holland: www.vivara.nl
France: www.vivara.fr
Germany: www.vivara.de
Denmark: www.vivara.dk
Belgium: www.vivara.be
Austria: www.vivara.at
Luxemburg: www.vivara.lu
Europe: www.vivara.com
USA
In 2006 CJ Wildbird Foods began planning the development it's brand CJ Wildlife in the US marketplace, and is now open at it's US website at www.cjwildlife.com . Operations and Distribution is located in the town of Louisiana, Missouri, USA
Conservation
We are committed to the conservation and preservation of birds and other wildlife and are currently supporting research into many of the worlds rare and declining bird species - research that will aid understanding of these species and help to address the recent decline in their numbers.
Customer Service
We pride ourselves on high standards of customer service. The company's approach is to educate and advise. Mail order staff are trained to offer product and wildlife advice to customers and a Wildlife Adviser is able to answer more detailed customer enquiries. The company is proud to offer a next day delivery service on orders received before 12 noon Central Time
Significant Achievements
CJ WildBird Foods has been responsible for a number of significant developments within the industry:
1. Developed the revolutionary "perching ring", which allows birds to eat from a feeder facing forward: their natural feeding position
2. Introduced black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts and Nyjer seed to the UK as major new bird foods
3. The first to sell peanuts with nil-detectable aflatoxin
4. The first to introduce the idea of selling human-quality foodstuffs in the wild bird food market
5. Developed specialist seed mixes for use in tubular feeders
6. Developed and patented a new concept in energy-rich food and fat bars
7. Introduced the idea of all year round feeding and developed suitable summer foods
8. Instrumental in persuading the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) to endorse the all year round feeding in gardens
9. Developed patented feeder designs, that have been adopted by the RSPB and by Droll Yankee, one of the market leaders in the USA
10. Developed many other patented products
11. Extended the range of foods available through a foods development program, so that over 80 common species of wild birds can now be fed in gardens, compared to 18 when the company started
12. Helped to raise the profile of bird feeding amongst the media and general public due to expertise in the field of practical ornithology
Other Notable Achievements
1. 2005: ECMOD 'Best All Round Catalogue Business' category winner
2. 2003: Winner - Shropshire Company of the Year award
3. 2002: achieved ISO 9001: 2000
4. 2002: Winner of Silver-gilt medal for show garden at Chelsea Flower Show
Key Personnel
Chairman: Chris J Whittles
A qualified consultant agronomist, Chris was the Honorary Secretary of the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology), is a qualified bird ringer, has lectured throughout Europe, serves on numerous advisory panels, and is well respected for his unique mix of ornithological and agronomic expertise.
Chief Executive: Tony Cordery
A graduate in Industrial Economics, Tony qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG before joining Ernst & Young in the Middle East and then moving into industry.
European Operations: Jan Thomassen (based in the Netherlands)
Heads the development of all European business outside the United Kingdom, and spearheads the companies development into the USA
US Operations: Peter Revers (based in the USA)
Manages all aspects of the company's operation in the USA (Contact)
Wildlife Advice Manager: Martin George (based in England)
A lifetime-qualified ornithologist, Martin has additional expertise in entomology and wildlife management.
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