HICC’s Global Expansion: How Innovation is Transforming Pet Care

As the pet care industry continues to expand globally, The Pet Times had the pleasure of sitting down with Andy, the co-founder of HICC Pet in the US. In this interview, Andy shares insights into the origins of HICC, the brand’s expansion into Asia, and the unique products that are making waves among pet owners.

Could you introduce yourself and share what led you to start HICC? 

My name is Andy, and I’m the CEO of HICC Pet in the US. I come from the tech world, and this is my first venture into the pet industry. What drew me to this space is twofold: First, during the pandemic, my partner and I noticed the explosive growth in the US pet industry. We observed a significant increase in pet adoptions, with people waiting several months to buy certain breeds. Second, around that time, we rescued a stray cat named Chestnut, who had severe skin issues. We searched for a solution to treat these issues and discovered Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl). This led to the development of our first product category, including HOCl-based skin care sprays and glove wipes. After finding success with these products over the past few years, we expanded into the grooming category. Today, we offer a range of grooming products such as wet wipes, pet dental wipes (our number one seller in the US), eye wipes, and ear wipes. Now, we’re well-known as a wellness and grooming brand.

HICC is a US-based business, and this APAC Brand Experience Centre in Singapore is your first branch in Asia. What excites you about expanding to Singapore?

Yes, we are a US brand, and this is our first APAC Brand Experience Centre. We chose Singapore because it serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia and is known for its passionate and pet-loving community. Additionally, Singapore’s proximity to key markets like Malaysia and Thailand, which is one of the fastest-growing markets in Southeast Asia, makes it an ideal location. We’re using Singapore as our hub to expand into other APAC countries and plan to extend our reach to Australia and New Zealand as well.

Can you tell us more about your products?

Our dental wipes are our top sellers in the US across all platforms. What makes them special is that many dogs dislike having toothbrushes in their mouths, but they are more comfortable with their owners using their fingers. We designed our finger gloves specifically for this purpose, followed by our Hypochlorous Acid spray, which is used like a mouthwash after brushing. This improves their hygiene and oral care.

Another popular product is our Deodorizing Pet Wipes. We were the first brand to introduce the glove wipe format in the US, which won us awards, especially for our coconut oil-scented wipes. These wipes leave your pet’s fur looking shiny and amazing after brushing. They’re also convenient for wiping down pets after a muddy walk without needing a full bath, helping to extend the time between showers. While they don’t replace baths, they do prolong the period between them.

Our Hypoallergenic Pet Eye Wipes are also popular. They’re similar to our other wipes but include vitamin D and C to brighten the eye area, along with sea salt to help prevent eye infections. These wipes are particularly effective for cats with tear stains, helping to remove them from white fur.

Lastly, our Pet Ear Relief Finger Wipes are among our top five sellers. Many new pet owners aren’t comfortable grooming their pets themselves, so our products are designed to make DIY grooming easier. Traditionally, you’d use a long Q-tip to clean your pet’s ears, but not all pets are comfortable with that. Our wipes allow you to use your own finger, which pets are more familiar with, giving you better control over how deep you clean.

It seems like your products empower pet owners to take better care of their pets themselves. Can you elaborate on that?

We’re working hand in hand with groomers, not replacing them. Our goal is to educate and empower pet owners to maintain their pets’ hygiene between grooming sessions. Our mission is to ensure that every pet enjoys the best life possible and lives up to their full potential. We want to provide pet owners with the tools they need to care for their pets’ hygiene.

What can people expect when they visit the Brand Experience Centre?

We developed this space to bring more people into the community and share our knowledge. That’s why we chose Marina One as the location; it’s surrounded by residential flats, and we see many pet parents walking their dogs in the area. Our centre is a welcoming space where people can learn to care for their pets and address any concerns they may have. All of our staff are knowledgeable and trained in handling dogs and cats, and they can provide solutions. We also host B2B events where we bring in clients and have a grooming space where we partner with local groomers. It’s similar to visiting the dentist—you need to floss between appointments. Our goal is to help pet owners maintain their pets’ hygiene between grooming sessions. By using our products, the grooming sessions are shorter because pets have already been self-groomed at home, allowing groomers to serve more clients in a day.

HICC’s journey from a startup to a leading wellness and grooming brand is inspiring. Andy’s vision of empowering pet owners while collaborating with groomers highlights a balanced approach to pet care. As HICC expands into Asia with its first APAC Brand Experience Centre in Singapore, pet owners in the region can look forward to more innovative solutions that make caring for their pets easier and more effective. The Pet Times  can’t wait to see how HICC continues to shape the future of pet care.

Check them out here: HICC Pet® SG 

Andy Peng

Co-founder of HICC Pet

Andy Peng stands out as a dynamic leader in the pet grooming industry, with a rich history of strategic roles that showcase his ability to drive growth and innovation. His career journey includes impactful stints at T-Mobile, where he shaped channel strategies, and at Anker Innovations LTD, where as Head of Sales for the Connected Home division, he successfully launched the eufy brand into the US market, achieving a 12% market share. His role at Creative Labs further demonstrated his capacity for team revitalization and operational excellence, leading to the successful introduction of the new BlasterX gaming brand to the U.S. market.

Leveraging this extensive background, Andy co-founded HICC Pet with the vision of transforming the pet grooming industry. His proven track record in identifying new business opportunities, executing process improvements, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve market success positions him as an exemplary leader at HICC Pet. Andy’s unique blend of visionary leadership and practical experience in sales, marketing, and operational optimization has been instrumental in positioning HICC Pet as a pioneer in delivering innovative pet care solutions that address the real-world needs of pet owners.