Father and son Peter and Chris Maxted have been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for their success in founding their company Dog-G8 which manufactures a ‘concertina-style’ dog safety gate.
The King’s Award recognises the company for its innovation. Since its foundation in 2019, Dog-G8 has grown rapidly and now has international demand for its product.
Chris Maxted said: “To receive the King’s Award for Innovation is a proud moment for us as a family business. It’s great to see the work we’ve put into Dog-G8 recognised like this, especially given how far the business has come over the past few years.”
Manufactured in the UK using mild steel with chrome or powder-coated finishes, the gate is designed to span a wide range of spaces while remaining compact, removable and easy to store. Its modular design allows it to be used in multiple settings, from front doors and stairways to caravans and motorhomes.
Since launching, Dog-G8 has expanded into international markets including the United States, Canada and Europe, with the United States now accounting for 20 to 30 per cent of total sales.
“This started as a simple idea to solve a problem we saw every day and it’s grown into something used by customers around the world,” Chris said. “From the outset, the aim was to create a gate that was flexible, reliable and practical in real homes, which could help keep dogs from escaping or preventing something more serious.”
Winning the King’s Award for Innovation places Dog-G8 among a select group of UK businesses recognised for outstanding commercial success driven by innovation, with the award providing five years of recognised status.
“This recognition reflects the journey we’ve been on over the past few years, from developing the product to growing the business globally. It gives us a strong position as we continue to expand and reach more customers,” added Chris.
The Dog-G8 business first started to go viral for Peter and Chris after they appeared on TV’s Dragon’s Den when Dragon Deborah Meaden jumped at the chance of investing in their company, telling Peter and Chris that she loved their product. “I think it’s brilliant,” she said.
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Father and son duo Peter and Chris Maxted Photo: Contributed
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The Horsham-based company Dog-G8 has been recognised with the King's Award for Enterprise for its innovative safety gate for dogs. Photo: Sophie Ward Photography