The Natural Pet Food Mission

Nutri-Mate founder Richard Pace has been immersed in Australia’s food industry for 4 decades and began his first small business nearly 50 years ago.

When he launched Nutri-Mate in 2021, Richard channelled his vast expertise – primarily from co-founding and running West Australian-based chicken and beef product supplier Canon Foods for 31 years – into the venture.

By the time Richard sold Canon Foods in 2015 (as the sole owner), the business had risen to number three in its field in Australia, employed more than 100 people and had distribution centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Today, Nutri-Mate operates in the same state-of-the-art automated factory where Canon Foods once stood.

Richard possesses extensive manufacturing, management, retailing, importing and distribution knowledge, and has previously held positions including:

• Chairman and Director of The Western Australian Food Centre
• Director of the Food Industry Employment and Training Council
• Chairman of the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Council DOIR

As a boy, Richard always had a faithful pet dog by his side, including family favourite, Fluffy.

Ryan dubbed “the heir to the overdraft” has been in the food industry for over 21 years, starting his carer running the night shift at Canon Foods at the young age of 17 while studying a Commerce Degree at Murdoch University.

Working at Canon Foods for many years both in Production and Sales, Ryan thrives on tackling complex challenges, from streamlining supply chains to implementing cutting-edge technologies that drive efficiency.

Being with Nutri-Mate since ground up starting as our faithful production manager, Ryan’s passion, precision, and a people-centred approach was an integral part to the development of our entire product range.

With a deep understanding of industry trends and customer needs, Ryan turned his focus into growing our brand awareness and sales in October 2024.

Known for fostering strong partnerships and cultivating client trust, Ryan is committed to excellence in every aspect of sales management.

Ross joined our Nutri-Mate team in March 2022 bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership to our team, ensuring the seamless operation of our production processes and the delivery of quality products to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.

With over 34 years of experience working with livestock, husbandry, genetics, broiler and breeder farms, including grandparent farms, quarantine farms and food manufacturing Ross plays an integral role in the success of our business. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see animals thrive under your care.”

Ross’s passion and commitment to animal welfare is reflected in every aspect of his work, whether overseeing production, managing supply chains, quality assurance, translating challenges into opportunities and ensuring flexible operations while delivering high-quality, nutrient rich products.

Want to know about our product quality? Just ask Rufus, his 3-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback!