History

Family-Owned Since 1967

NEKTON is a family-owned business founded in 1967. The company was initially established by Günter Enderle with a specialized pet store catering to bird breeders. In 1969, the business expanded to include import/export operations and an approved quarantine station. Enderle supplied zoos and pet stores across Europe with primarily birds, and on a smaller scale, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.

The focus was always on animal welfare. Long transport distances and stays in the quarantine station made this challenging at times. At the time, animal supplements and species-appropriate bird food were still relatively unknown and rare on the market. As an active breeder of birds and dogs, Günter Enderle decided to create his own mixtures of vitamins, proteins, minerals, and trace elements in collaboration with other breeders and experts to develop and test these products.

Constantly Growing Product Range

The first market-ready results quickly became a reality. Günter Enderle registered the NEKTON trademark and began selling the first supplements, NEKTON-S and NEKTON-R, under this brand. Soon, specialized products for birds, reptiles, dogs, and cats followed.

The product range expanded to include 49 nutritional supplements, several species-appropriate complete feeds for birds and reptiles, a highly popular breeding concentrate for insects, and an effective cleaning agent for pet accessories.

State-Controlled Production

Since 1978, Günter Enderle — and with him the NEKTON brand — has been a recognized and registered manufacturer under state supervision. All developed products were tested on the company’s own animals and imports, allowing them to be continuously refined to meet the specific needs of the animals.

In the 1980s, NEKTON became a well-established brand for animal supplements throughout Europe. Its strong reputation eventually reached the United States, where distribution began in 1982 through a local representative.

Focus on Product Development

In the 1990s, NEKTON completely withdrew from the import and export of animals and has since focused exclusively on the development, production, marketing, and sale of nutritional supplements for animals.

Distribution takes place through our own online shop, directly via retail partners, and through agents around the world. The products are frequently advertised in a wide range of international pet magazines.

NEKTON's customer base includes not only pet owners, but also many renowned and well-known breeders. Experts, research institutes, bird parks, and zoos across the globe also value NEKTON’s high-quality supplements.

Generational Change and Expansion

In 2010, Thomas Enderle took over the business — transforming the company from Günter Enderle into NEKTON GmbH. With a fresh breeze in management, a new software system was introduced in 2014.

Rising demands on production made it necessary to build a new site, starting with the purchase of property in 2016. Construction began in 2017, and the move into the new building — which offers ample space for production — took place in 2018. That same year, the facility was equipped with modern, additional technology. New air conditioning, dehumidifying, and dust protection systems now ensure improved production conditions and greater protection for employees.

The newly gained production space also allowed for the installation of a larger mixing unit, which now enables the filling of batches with volumes of up to 250 kg.

First Certification Following GMP Audit

In 2019, NEKTON was certified according to GMP+ B8 standards. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice, which refers to compliance with guidelines ensuring quality assurance in production processes and their documentation. This includes a comprehensive quality management system. The “+” signifies the integration of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), while B8 specifically refers to standards for the production and trade of pet food products.

This certificate is valid for three years and is renewed through an audit.

Continuously Improved Workflows

In 2021, we installed vertical carousel storage systems to optimize our warehouse organization and workflows. By making the most of the available room height, we save space and utilize key storage areas more efficiently. These modern storage systems also allow for materials and products to be retrieved within seconds at the dispensing area.

In 2022, we successfully renewed our GMP+ B8 certification through a follow-up audit and expanded our facility with a new extension to provide even more storage space.

Looking Ahead to a Successful Future

Alongside the many milestones we have achieved so far, our primary focus remains on the continuous development of new products to expand our range. In doing so, we constantly adapt to the evolving needs and requirements of our customers and their animals.

Over the past few years, we have already made significant progress — including the implementation of a new filling system, which allows for even cleaner and more precise production processes.

We are currently working on the next major step: expanding our production capacities with the construction of a second facility, located directly across the street from our current site. This will lay the foundation for further growth — and for a successful future.