Steven Dixon, who was well-known in the pet industry, having worked at brands including Supreme and Burns, has passed away.
Linda Ward of Pet Trade Solutions has shared an obituary for Steve to share the sad news with all his colleagues and friends from over the years.
STEVE DIXON obituary
Steve Dixon was rightly universally liked and respected in the pet product industry and to hear the shocking news from his brother Rob and sister-in-law Tracey that he had passed away on 17th December at only 70 years old was a blow shared by us all.
Steve had retired from a job he loved in 2022 and the last time we spoke he was happily making the most of his freedom. He had many friends and regularly went to The Crown in Derby as did lots of his friends.
I knew Steve from 1984 when he joined the sales team at Jenks Brokerage, covering the North East and Scotland (whilst I covered West Midlands and North West) selling products on behalf of Quaker Europe and Purina Petfoods with heavy influence on breeder contact and support at dog and cat shows. We travelled to shows and sales meetings together and continued to periodically ‘chew the fat’ from then on.
After 11 years with Jenks/McCormick UK, Steve’s career in the trade took him through Area Sales Manager roles with Spillers Pet Foods, Supreme Pet Foods, Burgess Supafeeds and, finally, from 2009, Burns Pet Foods.
During those years he developed a strong portfolio of clients including pet food wholesalers, managing directors of companies with the largest market share in the UK, influential buyers for national retail outlets, vets and many independent retailers.
Exceptionally reliable, professional and with a ‘can do’ attitude, he was friendly, honest and trustworthy with an excellent reputation.
I had no qualms about putting him forward for any role and, having introduced him to Burns I wasn’t surprised some years on that when they approached me to find an Area Manager candidate for another area, the brief was simply, “We’d like another Steve Dixon please.”
An impossible brief – he was truly a ‘one of a kind’.
Steve’s funeral will be held at the main chapel of Markeaton Crematorium (Derby) on Monday 20th January at 2.30pm, donations to charity only please. Tracy and Rob have said, “We’re wearing a splash of colour – Steve wouldn’t want all black.”
Sadly missed - R.I.P. Steve