SmartPak Equine announced May 23 that it has received a 2005 Innovation Award from the Smaller Business Association of New England. SmartPak, best known for offering custom-packed nutritional supplements in its patented SmartPak packaging, is the first equine company to receive this prestigious award.

The annual award recognizes New England-based businesses that have transformed innovative ideas into a company, product or service that delivers proven value to customers. Past award winners include some of the most recognizable names in New England business including Staples, Ben & Jerry’s, Nantucket Nectars, Genzyme, Green Mountain Coffee and SmartFoods Popcorn.

“We are thrilled that the Smaller Business Association of New England has recognized the valuable role SmartPaks play in helping to make sure horses get fed properly,” said Paal Gisholt, the company’s president and CEO. “Every day our customers tell us how much they appreciate how SmartPaks have simplified their lives. But it’s particularly gratifying to be recognized for innovation amongst the large number of innovative information technology and biotech companies we have here in New England.”

“We are all just thrilled to have won this award for innovation,” said Becky Minard, the company’s founder and principal inventor of SmartPak’s patented feeding system. “But as proud as I am of the SmartPak, I think I am even prouder of the innovative approaches our team has taken to customer care, which has allowed us to provide a level of service to our customers that is without parallel in our industry