We began our pet food journey with 11 staff members in a small factory in Graaff-Reinet. In the first month we produced around 65 tonnes of dog food, less than 1% of monthly total volume today.

Registration of our factory as a veterinary-approved facility confirmed Montego's approach to providing quality nutrition. Within two years of opening, we dispatched our first full truckload containing a single order.

To bring our high-quality food to a wider share of pets, we began producing Classic dry food for cats and expanded the Classic line to also cater for older dogs. Botswana became the first export country for Montego pet food.

We recorded the sales milestone of 1 000 tonnes in a single month and our factory underwent its first upgrade to increase capacity.

Montego became a member of the P.F.I., which itself is a member of the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations. With standards that ensure the nutritional wellbeing of pets, our membership confirmed our commitment to quality.

A third factory upgrade enabled us to keep pace with increasing sales, which edged close to 4 500 tonnes in a single month. We launched Montego Karoo Adult and Puppy, a super-premium range.

We introduced Monty & Me as an economy range to offer consumers the same high Montego quality at a price that is easier on the wallet. Hannes van Jaarsveld retired as managing director, handing over the reins to his son Johan.

With the launch of Sauce for Dogs, we became the first company in South Africa to produce a dry food topper. Our factory earned the FSSC 22000 Food Safety Accreditation, joining an elite number of pet food manufacturing plants around the world.

We built a new production facility for treats and launched Bags O' Wags, a rewarding selection of tasty, nutritious treats. We expanded our export department and became the first African dry pet food producer to exhibit at Interzoo in Germany.

Our new slogan, "Better Every Day", encapsulated our promise to consumers and their pets. In keeping with our goal to better life for pets, people and the planet, we completed construction of an 843 kWp solar power facility.

We established Montego Cares, a nonprofit organisation focused on social initiatives, and expanded our focus on pet wellbeing with XenPet, a range of supplements and grooming products. We purchased our first truck to enhance deliveries.

Our new hub in Centurion combined a production plant, a warehouse and administration offices to ensure a better product and service. With a fleet of 11 trucks, depots in all nine provinces and 210 new staff, we further streamlined delivery.

The popular Karoo range grew to include wet food pouches while Karoo Wild treats captured the imagination with premium antelope-based bites. We launched Karoo Wild treats in the U.S. Made of 100% recyclable materials, our Bags O' Wags packaging won silver at the South African Gold Pack Awards.

We secured the rights to produce and distribute PAW Patrol dog treats to Africa, Europe and the GCC, and successfully launched a PAW Patrol range in South Africa. Montego's holding company, Monic Group, acquired Marltons Pet Care, combining a century of expertise in serving pet owners both locally and abroad. Karoo Wild treats were launched in Europe, with 10 countries having stock on shelf in less than a year.