What we know about the Natural Balance and Canidae merger

Pet food manufacturers Natural Balance and Canidae announced earlier this week they are merging businesses to create a specialty pet food enterprise. 

With “complementary yet differentiated offerings,” the new entity will include Canidae’s Pure, Goodness, and All Life Stages and Natural Balance’s Limited Ingredient and Original Ultra product lines.

“The strength of our two companies joining forces will inevitably pave the way to more innovative solutions for pet specialty retailers and offer consumers a greater range of purposeful choices,” said Paul Ford, Director of Natural Balance in Canada.

Transaction terms were not disclosed.

Long-term expansion 

According to a joint statement, the combined businesses “will leverage both companies’ shared passion for improving the well-being and lives of pets through simple nutrition, responsibly sourced ingredients, and protein-rich products.”

As part of the transaction, investment firm L Catterton, also a majority shareholder of Canidae, and Nexus Capital Management, a majority shareholder of Natural Balance, are each investing new capital “to support the successful integration and strategic long-term expansion of the combined company.” 

Natural Balance is a 30-year-old pet food company that manufactures protein-focused, premium dog and cat food and pet treats. Canidae, founded in 1996, is a Connecticut-based dog and cat food producer with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture and sustainable operations