Latest M&As in the pet industry

Merger and acqusitions (M&A) are driving innovation in the pet industry, enabling companies to enhance product offerings and expand the business footprint.

2B Associates

American pet wellness company 2B Associates has acquired pet health product manufacturer PreMark Health Science to accelerate product development under its Carson and Bear dog care brand.

The collaboration will focus on products that support canine joint, gut, skin and coat health.

“This vertical integration will expedite our ability to deliver innovative solutions to pet owners,” says Bridgette Chambers, CEO of 2B Associates and Founder of Carson and Bear.

Agria Insurance

In pet insurance, UK-based Agria has partnered with pricing solutions provider Quantee to enhance its growth in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, the UK and Ireland.

Under the deal, Quantee’s end-to-end insurance platform will offer strategic pricing on Agria’s distinctive selection of coverages and enable the company to achieve “profitable growth” in new markets.

As an Agria spokesperson informs GlobalPETS, the deal also supports the company’s goal of becoming the European leader in pet insurance.

The Vets

American at-home veterinary care provider The Vets has merged with BetterVet, a mobile veterinary service provider, to expand the geographic scope of its pet healthcare delivery across 30 major cities in the US. 80 veterinary teams are expected to service these areas.

“We’re excited to join forces with BetterVet and further cement our position as market leaders,” said Esben Mou, CEO of The Vets.

Dan Adams, CEO and Board Chairman of BetterVet, comments, “With our combined strengths, we’re not only delivering exceptional care but also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in veterinary medicine in terms of convenience and quality.”

Huisdieren.nl

The Dutch online pet store Huisdieren.nl has acquired another pet supplies wholesaler, TIMS BV, to establish a new “Healthy Pets Group.”

This strategic move allows Huisdieren to strengthen its presence in both premium and mainstream pet segments in the Netherlands and Belgium markets.

“This acquisition fits perfectly with our growth strategy and is a good prelude to the future,” says Joost van Beveren, CEO of Huisdieren.nl and Huisdieren.be.

Three Dog Brands

Three Dog Brands (TDB), a company under New York-based private equity firm Topspin Consumer Partners, has acquired Kennelmaster Foods for an undisclosed amount. This deal enables TDB to expand its portfolio into the dehydrated pet treats segment.

Kennelmaster Foods’ brand, Chip’s Naturals, was founded in 2008 and is known for its innovative, single-ingredient pet treats.

“Chip’s Naturals’ product offering allows TDB to expand beyond its portfolio of confectionery treats into the growing dehydrated treats segment and strengthens our position as the leader in humanized dog treats,” says Kristi Ross, CEO of TDB.

Above Food

The Canadian plant-based ingredient company has expanded its pet food ingredients business by acquiring Montana-based Redwood Group’s specialty crop division.

Lionel Kambeitz, Founder, President and CEO of Above Food, explains that the company’s strategic “vertical integration” allows it to adapt quickly to market trends and deliver innovative and nutritious plant-based pet food.

It also pushes the company’s total pet food business to a value of $110 million (€101.5M).

“This acquisition significantly enhances our position in the rapidly growing plant-based pet food market,” concludes Kambeitz.

Ollie

American fresh dog food company Ollie has acquired DIG Labs, a diagnostic company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pet health screenings. This acquisition enables the company to enter the holistic health segment.

This integrated technology would assess pets’ stool, weight management, skin, coat and dental care issues. Pet parents will also be able to access free health screenings for digestion, weight, oral, skin and coat health.

The company will also be able to provide new pet food recipes based on the AI assessment through its new propriety technology, Foodback Loop.

The partnership will integrate DIG Labs’ technology into Ollie’s offerings, enhancing the health and wellness of dogs through personalized nutrition.

“We are the only pet food company creating a direct data-led link between what we are feeding our dogs and their health outcomes through individual pet data on stool, weight, skin and coat and teeth and gums,” highlights CEO Nick Stafford.

FAI: Healthy Pets Group

Financial Advisory & Investment (FAI), an Italian investment firm, has acquired 3 Tuscany-based pet product companies – IGC Leopet, Carbone Pet Products and La Dolce Vita – to form the Healthy Pets Group.

This new entity, which includes a distributor of specialized pet retail products, a private label producer of beds and cushions and an artisanal pastry brand, is expected to have a combined turnover of approximately €23 million ($24.9M) and a workforce of 100 employees.

The investment firm will push the group’s presence in the domestic and international markets. “We have the strategic objective of creating the most important all-Italian manufacturing hub for high-end pet accessories,” comments Guglielmo Ruggeri, Founding Partner of FAI.

Modern Plant Based Foods

The Vancouver-based producer of plant-based alternatives has acquired AnimalKind, which specializes in plant-based pet food products. This acquisition marks the company’s entry into markets beyond human food, aligning with increasing consumer demand for sustainable and meat-free options for their pets.

The deal aims to expand the company’s offerings and strengthen its presence in the pet food industry. It focuses on providing healthy, sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based pet foods.

As part of this move, Modern Plant-Based Foods plans to use AnimalKind’s existing products and distribution channels while innovating new formulas to meet pet nutrition needs.