Just Food

Pure Treats buys Primal Pet Foods from private-equity owners

Kinderhook Industries had acquired Primal Pet Foods in 2021.

Canadian pet-food business Pure Treats has acquired peer Primal Pet Foods from private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.

Montreal, Quebec-based Pure Treats, which owns the PureBites and PureSnacks cat and dog snacking brands, did not reveal the price it has paid for Primal Pet Foods.

Based in Fairfield, California, Kinderhook Industries acquired Primal Pet Foods in 2021, also for an undisclosed sum.

The business was created in 2001 by company president Matt Koss and supplies a range of branded frozen and freeze-dried foods to North America, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea.

Pure Treats said in a statement the deal includes its peer’s manufacturing facilities in Abilene, Texas, and Montrose in Colorado.

Meanwhile, Pure Treats also owns a factory in Texas, along with a co-packing facility in Montreal, Canada.

Marc Cathcart, a co-founder and president of Pure Treats and PureBites, said: “Primal was one of the first brands in the raw- and freeze-dried categories and we are thrilled to be able to have them join the PureBites family and continue to bring the best food and treats to pet parents across the globe.”

Cathcart called the transaction a “transformational moment” for the Canadian company.

PureBites was set up in 2005 by Marc and Barry Cathcart. It supplies retailers in North America and also sells its products online.

Koss of Primal Pet Foods added: “The return of Primal to private ownership is very positive for the brand, consumers, customers and employees. The goals and authenticity of PureBites, their team, and their ownership offer Primal an opportunity to continue its mission started 25 years ago.”

Just Food has asked Kinderhook Industries to comment on the Primal Pet Foods disposal.

When it bought the business in 2021, Tom Tuttle, a managing director at Kinderhook, said: “Primal is well-positioned for growth with leading brands, an experienced management team and Kinderhook’s significant investment in an expanded state-of-the-art manufacturing footprint that creates the capacity to meet growing customer demand for minimally processed products.”