VAFO acquires majority share of Austrian manufacturer PetCo

German private equity (PE) firm Comitis Capital has sold its majority stake in Austrian pet food manufacturer Petco to VAFO.

With a combined annual turnover exceeding €600 million ($662.1 million), this alliance will enable both companies to expand their product portfolios and market positions.

The transaction will also strengthen VAFO’s presence in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) following the recent acquisition of German pet food maker Allco Tiernahrung.

“Together, we can leverage synergies to further strengthen our innovation capabilities, bring us closer to our customers and enrich our portfolio with strong brands,” says Pavel Bouška, Chairman of the VAFO board.

Stefan Miklauz, Managing Director of PetCo, states that the partnership will allow them to “establish new standards for the pet industry.” Co-founder Katharina Miklauz highlights that it will keep them at the “cutting edge of product innovation and quality,” reinforcing their commitment to their customers.

The Vienna-based pet food manufacturer was founded in 2014 and is known for its premium brands like Wow, Dog’s Love, Cat’s Love, and Pure Nature.

The legacy

This transaction marks Comitis’ exit from the pet food market.

Under the PE firm’s leadership, PetCo significantly expanded its presence in Germany and other European markets. The firm focused on innovation, consumer trends and operational improvements, enhancing PetCo’s direct-to-consumer capabilities and market reach.

“With VAFO, they have gained an ideal partner to resume the successful development into a European champion in pet food,” adds Csanad Daniel, Partner at Comitis.

PetCo Group will continue to operate independently in Vienna under the leadership of its founders, Stefan and Katharina Miklauz.