Belgium’s United Petfood and Turkish partner Lider Petfood have acquired a production facility.

In separate statements on Friday (27 March), the companies said buying the dry pet-food factory in the western Turkish city of Kırklareli will help them meet “surging” domestic and international demand.

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The plant’s location near Istanbul acts as a “gateway” to Eastern Europe, they added.

Lider, in which United Petfood acquired an undisclosed stake in 2023, described the deal as a “significant milestone” in its expansion roadmap for the year.

The factory, which the businesses have acquired from from Maya Company Pet Food, spans over 30,000m² and brings “advanced manufacturing capabilities and specialised expertise”, it said.

“The site’s high-spec equipment and processing technology aligns seamlessly with United Petfood’s existing operations, ensuring a smooth integration and immediate scaling of production,” Lider added.

Lider already runs two dry pet-food plants and a wet pet-food facility in Türkiye. The company, which remains independently managed, also exports to more than 80 countries.

It employs over 600 people, with its portfolio including 13 brands, such as Reflex and Spectrum.

United Petfood manufactures dry and wet pet food, biscuits and snacks for cats and dogs. The group operates production facilities across Europe and the US. Active in over 100 countries, it generates annual turnover of more than €1.6bn ($1.8bn).