Legault Group pivots to retail after selling manufacturing operations
The Canadian pet player will continue developing products and brands, but will rely on manufacturing partners for production.
Quebec-based corporation Legault Group recently sold its pet food manufacturing business. In April, its state-of-the-art facility, Jupiter, was sold to the Belgian manufacturer United Petfood. The premium dry food facility was launched in 2023.
A month earlier, French producer Normandise Pet Food acquired the manufacturing company and facility Food 4 Pets Canada and its US commercial arm, Food For Pets USA.
“This synergy will enable both companies to offer, on both sides of the Atlantic, an expanded range of solutions to brands and distributors, including a wider selection of dog and cat food in cans, Tetra Recart cartons, pouches and trays,” the group says.
Strengthening ties
In addition, the acquisition aims to strengthen ties between French-speaking regions, fostering exchanges, mutual understanding and collaboration between teams.
“This cultural affinity serves as a powerful catalyst for developing new joint projects, especially since the two companies share several common values, notably animal welfare,” Normandise adds.
Founded in 2017 and specializing in wet and canned food, Food 4 Pets Canada marked the acceleration of Normandise Group’s international expansion to North America.
Future strategy
Legault Group will now shift its focus to its pet retailing chains: Mondou, with over 100 stores in Quebec and a 400,000-sq-ft automated warehouse and distribution center; Ren’s Pets, with more than 60 stores across Ontario and the Maritimes; and Homes Alive Pets, with units in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba.
The company says it will continue to develop products and brands, but will now work with manufacturing partners to produce them. For instance, after divesting its 2 factories, the group launched Nordika, a new dog food brand to be sold through its retail ecosystem.
GlobalPETS learned that this launch is in response to growing interest in more natural products, while price sensitivity remains high.
Legault Group also owns other brands, including Vetdiet (super-premium food, snacks and treats), O’Select (cleaning products and litter), Petstory (natural food and treats) and BeOneBreed (accessories and enrichment).
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