Welcome to the John A. Van Den Bosch LLC, a business rooted in tradition and innovation since 1932, and family-owned until 2023.
Today, John A. Van Den Bosch is a leading wholesale distributor of premium pet food and treats. We serve the markets of Pet Specialty, Outdoor Bird, Livestock/Farm, Lawn & Garden, and Deer. Our range of products and passion for independent business can support most of the needs of your brick-and-mortar retail store.
We pride ourselves on delivering an unparalleled service experience, marked by our commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the industry. Transparency is at the core of our values, ensuring clear communication and trust with both our vendors and customers. We foster long-term partnerships built on reliability and mutual success, striving to exceed expectations and uphold our reputation as an industry leader.
By selecting product lines that stand up to our test of quality and excellence—we offer a complete range of pet food, pet accessories, including nutritional supplements, medicinal products, grooming supplies, food and water dishes, food storage solutions, crates, beds, carriers, toys, leads and tie-outs. You can also find a variety of bird feeders and accessories, wild bird feed and suet, deer products, farm and livestock feed and accessories, and lawn and garden products throughout our inventory. Lastly, we also offer private label bird seed made with high quality ingredients.
At John A. Van Den Bosch, our legacy is built on a foundation of perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Our Story: John A. Van Den Bosch was born in 1892 in Zeeland, Michigan. In 1912, John married Frederika Lugers, and they soon welcomed their first child, William. Growing up in a community of small farms, John and William gained a deep understanding of the agricultural needs of their neighbors, who relied on local stores for groceries, feed, seed, and hardware.
Initially working for others—John as a feed salesman and William in a warehouse—the father-son duo faced a turning point after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. Both lost their jobs, prompting them to start their own business with a used truck, delivering vegetables.
The company faced numerous challenges, including significant financial losses during the bank “holiday” of the 1930s and a devastating fire in 1941. Despite these setbacks, John and William’s resilience saw them pivot to making ration boxes for the military during World War II. Post-war, they leveraged remaining resources to establish a lumber company, which kept the business afloat until they could rebuild their feed mill.
The 1950s brought a stroke of innovation when William began mixing birdseed (the origin of Nature’s Window Birdseed), which quickly became a bestseller and opened new market opportunities. Over time, the company expanded to producing pet food and distributing pet care products, diversifying its offerings. Nature’s Window bird seed can now be bought throughout MI, OH, IN, northern KY, western PA, and at select locations throughout the USA. With our Nature’s Window packaging graphics winning awards, our triple clean system guaranteeing top quality products, and our service and consumer satisfaction guarantee, our customers can rest assured they have a great product line to accommodate all bird enthusiasts.
In 1998, the next generation stepped in. William, at 86, wisely brought his daughter Jan, nephew David, and Steve, son-in-law of his brother Fred, onto the company’s board. David transitioned from a management role at General Motors to oversee daily operations, guiding the company through significant changes.
A fire in 2002 destroyed their recently upgraded feed mill, leading to a strategic decision to invest in a warehouse in Holland instead of rebuilding. This move allowed the company to expand its customer base to large retail chains while still serving farm cooperatives. By 2009, the John A. Van Den Bosch LLC offered a full range of pet products, as well as bird feeders and accessories.