Cargill strengthens pet food capabilities with Pro-Pet acquisition
Cargill has reached an agreement to acquire Pro-Pet, an Ohio-based manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured pet foods, including premium dog food brand Black Gold.
Cargill has reached an agreement to acquire Pro-Pet, an Ohio-based manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured pet foods, including premium dog food brand Black Gold. The acquisition makes Cargill the only national supplier of both animal feed and pet food offerings in the agricultural retail space.
“Pro-Pet’s commitment to high-quality, safe pet food and passion for the pet food business is the perfect fit for our Cargill Animal Nutrition business, and allows us to better serve our customers seeking a focused supplier for both animal feed and pet food options,” said Pilar Cruz, president, Cargill Feed and Nutrition.
Pro-Pet has more than 150 employees and three pet food manufacturing facilities in Owatonna, Minn.; St. Marys, Ohio; and Kansas City, Kan. Pro-Pet provides Cargill with increased production capacity and proximity to existing agricultural retail customers to better meet its growth needs within pet food.
Pet food is a top-growing category among agriculture retailers with an estimated 8% distribution share, in a space that continues to evolve with changing consumer preferences. Currently, Cargill operates 50 animal feed production and distribution facilities across the United States, offering branded and private label pet food to agriculture retailer customers.
The transaction is expected to close within 30 days, subject to customary approvals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.