Pet Care

US food giant General Mills has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Tiki Pets and Cloud Star food brands, part of investment firm’s NXMH’s Whitebridge Pet Brands business, for $1.45 billion. As part of the transaction, General Mills will take over two manufacturing facilities in Joplin (MO), while NXMH will retain the Whitebridge Pet Brands business and brands in Europe. Commenting on the deal, General Mills …

US-based food and beverage company JM Smucker has announced the closing of a transaction to sell several pet food brands to Post Holdings for approximately $1.2 billion. The acquisition, which was announced in February, includes brands such Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9Lives, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Nature’s Recipe and Gravy Train, a private label pet food business, and several manufacturing and distributing facilities. “With the close of this transaction, we are excited to …

FMCG giant Colgate-Palmolive has announced plans to acquire three dry pet food manufacturing plants in the US from Red Collar Pet Foods for $700 million. According to Colgate-Palmolive, the acquisition aims to support the global growth of its Hill’s Pet Nutrition business and includes the transfer of approximately 350 employees. The manufacturing plants – in Orangeburg (SC), Clinton (OK), and Washington Court House (OH) – will be part of Hill’s Pet …

US food giant General Mills has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Tyson Foods’ pet treats business. According to General Mills’ press release, the move is part of the company’s strategy to reshape its portfolio for growth by adding an ‘attractive’ business to the fast-growing pet platform. Bethany Quam, General Mills group president, pet segment said: “Pet food is a high-growth category, fueled by the humanization of …

US food and beverages manufacturer JM Smucker has entered into an agreement to sell its pet food business Natural Balance to Nexus Capital Management for $50 million. The transaction is said to be part of the company’s plan to focus on its core pet care portfolio, which includes brands such as Rachael Ray Nutrish, Milk-Bone, and Meow Mix, which have significant long-term growth potential, according to the company. Mark Smucker, president, …

US e-commerce giant Amazon has added to its own brand line up of grocery products with the launch of a range of pet food under the name Wag, according to a report in CNet. The new brand is the latest addition to Amazon’s expanding portfolio of private label brands, which currently comprises more than 70 lines across a diverse range of product categories. The initial offering under the Wag brand …

US-based food and beverage producer JM Smucker has announced an agreement to acquire Ainsworth Pet Nutrition for approximately $1.7 billion. Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is a privately-held company which produces and distributes premium-positioned pet food and pet snacks, including the Rachael Ray Nutrish brand. In addition to the company headquarters in Pennsylvania, the transaction includes two manufacturing facilities and a leased distribution facility. This acquisition reinforces JM Smucker’s position in pet …

General Mills, the leading US food producer, has expanded into the natural pet food space with the acquisition of Blue Buffalo, in a deal that has an enterprise value of approximately $8.0 billion. Founded in 2002, Blue Buffalo is described as a fast-growing major pet food company that markets natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under the Blue brand. Blue is claimed to be the number 1 “wholesome natural pet food …

Cargill, the commodities giant, has announced that it has acquired Pro-Pet, a dog food manufacturer based in Ohio, USA. Pro-Pet productes private label and co-manufactured pet foods, including the premium-positioned brand Black Gold. The firm has more than 150 employees and operates pet food manufacturing facilities in Owatonna, MN, St. Marys, OH and Kansas City, KS. Commenting on the deal, Cargill Feed and Nutrition president Pilar Cruz said: “Pro-Pet’s commitment to high-quality, …