Frontier Distributing

Frontier Distributing has deep roots in the region’s agricultural and pet supply history. Founder Mark Smith traces the story back to 1935 when his grandfather opened Beaver Feed Company near 16 Mile and Rochester Road. His father continued in the industry at Beaver Feed, then Rochester Elevator, and in 1986 Mark built Frontier Distributing from that legacy. As he put it, “We have been in the animal feed business for 90 years now, I guess.”

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Today Frontier operates strictly as a wholesale distributor, serving the Ohio Valley, all of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, along with parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The company manages 145,000 square feet of warehouse space in Oxford and additional crossdock operations in Dayton and Warren, Ohio. These facilities allow trucks to move efficiently across multiple states while staying within Department of Transportation regulations.

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Frontier serves what the industry calls the Neighborhood Pet channel. This includes independent and small chain pet supply stores, rural feed stores, and many locally owned franchise operations. The company does not distribute to grocery, mass retail, or large online sellers, and many manufacturers prefer this model to protect pricing and brand integrity. The business focuses heavily on dog and cat food, treats, consumables, litter, and some accessories. Frozen pet food is a growing part of their work, and maintaining product integrity across such long distances requires specialized equipment and careful shipping practices.

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Although Frontier keeps a low public profile, the team supports the community in meaningful ways. The company donates damaged or broken bags of food to several pet rescues, making sure the product goes where it is most needed. Mark shared, “That is one of the things we do to support pets in the community.” Frontier also quietly supports a few local school sports teams, especially those involving his grandchildren.

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Mark and his wife have lived in the area their entire lives, and the business has always been grounded in local values. He believes in the strength of small business and appreciates what the Oxford Chamber provides to the community. “Chambers are extremely important to support local businesses and local family businesses,” he said. Although his work makes networking groups less practical for his specific industry, he encourages local business owners to get involved, noting the value of personal connections and community trust.

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Frontier Distributing may prefer to operate without fanfare, but its long history, regional impact, and commitment to local relationships reveal a business deeply woven into the fabric of the community.