Global Development & Management, LLC (GDM) is an export trading company specializing in premium pet food products. They partner with manufacturers and brands, as well as assist companies in developing private label (OEM) foods and pet treats for markets worldwide. With over 60 years of combined experience in global trade, brand development, and market strategy, GDM connects producers with distributors across more than 20 countries, representing over 20 North American brands.

The company offers expertise in custom label development, international sourcing, and market growth services, sourcing and exporting products into a variety of global markets. At the core of GDM’s operations is a focus on building lasting relationships through transparency, strategic foresight, and efficient logistics. From regulatory compliance and documentation to freight coordination and payment processing, GDM provides seamless, end-to-end transaction support.

GDM began participating in Food Export programs in 2009, taking part in the Branded Program, Online Product Catalog, Export Essentials, Buyers Missions, and Focused Trade Missions. This involvement has helped the Ohio-based company gain valuable foreign buyer contacts, establish distributorships, and expand into new markets.

• 2022 – Using Branded Program funds, GDM executed strategic marketing plans that included multi-platform advertising, trade show participation, label and packaging modifications, in-store sampling events, and the creation of international websites. These efforts targeted South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Taiwan, and China, resulting in over $1.5 million in sales and a projection of $2.4 million in the following year. The company also gained 26 new foreign buyer contacts, established 9 new agent relationships, and made its first-ever sale to Germany.
• 2023 – In its 13th consecutive year with the Branded Program, GDM focused on China, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Robust marketing promotions generated $1.75 million in sales with projections of $2.1 million in the next year, along with 59 new foreign buyer contacts and 8 new distributorships.
• 2024 – GDM expanded its efforts to seven international markets, using funds to exhibit at trade shows, run local advertising campaigns, update packaging, attend events, and distribute promotional materials. These activities resulted in $13 million in sales to Singapore, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, along with 300 new foreign buyer contacts and 10 new distributorships.

Sara Kaufman of GDM stated, “The Food Export Branded Program has been instrumental in enabling our distributors to establish and grow their brands in highly competitive international markets. It has provided invaluable support and created meaningful opportunities for long-term global expansion.”

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.