Founder Feature: Cam Mathias of Huntaway
Cam Mathias, founder of Huntaway, explains how he pivoted from 30 years in the meat industry to launch a wild venison dog food brand in New Zealand during the 2020 lockdown. He details the product development process, including the use of novel protein for allergic dogs and the transition from compostable to single-resin packaging to ensure actual recyclability. Mathias also discusses scaling challenges, such as switching contract manufacturers due to a PE-owned cold storage facility exiting the business, and optimizing logistics by shipping raw material to Texas for cube-forming and freeze-drying to maximize container efficiency.