United Petfood has made a significant entry into the U.S. market by purchasing a production facility in Mishawaka, Indiana, from Wellness Pet Company. This acquisition marks a milestone for United Petfood, representing its first manufacturing site in the United States.
Wellness Pet Company plans to transition its production to another facility.
Specializing in private label dry pet food, wet pet food, treats, and snacks, United Petfood is a Belgian family-owned business with a global presence. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Romania, Turkey, and several other countries, distributing products to over 95 countries worldwide.
Elodie Fleury, United Petfood’s Vice President for the Americas, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition. “We are excited to take our first steps into the U.S. market with the acquisition of the Mishawaka facility,” Fleury said. “This acquisition allows us to better serve our American customers with locally produced, high-quality pet food. We see tremendous opportunities for growth and collaboration and are excited about the potential for synergies between our operations across different continents.”
Wellness Pet Company CEO Reed Howlett expressed satisfaction with the transition. “This will ensure a smooth transition for our team members who have been working at the facility and part of the Wellie family for many years,” Howlett said. “We are proud to have been Mishawaka community members for almost two decades.”
In 2022, Wellness Pet acquired a larger facility in Decatur, Arkansas, to support its growth. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, Wellness Pet also has facilities in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Netherlands, and remains a global supplier of premium pet food and treats.
United Petfood’s acquisition of the Mishawaka facility continues its trend of strategic expansions. In January, the company signed a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of Vital Petfood Group in Ølgod, Denmark, known for producing dry and semi-moist cat and dog food. In December 2023, United Petfood acquired De Haan Petfood in Nieuwkoop, Netherlands, which specializes in wet dog and cat food. Earlier in 2023, it also acquired a stake in Turkey-based Lider Pet Food.
United Petfood’s acquisition history reflects its aggressive growth strategy, with numerous acquisitions across Europe since 2013, including Neodis Mornac in France, Teeling Petfood in the Netherlands, Cambrian Pet Foods in the UK, and several other facilities across Belgium, Spain, Poland, and Romania.
This latest move into the U.S. market underscores United Petfood’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its ability to serve customers worldwide with high-quality pet food products.
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