United Petfood has acquired a 50% stake in German wet pet-food producer SmartPetPro.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Belgium-based United Petfood described the deal as the “beginning of a long-term strategic partnership”.
United Petfood founder Dominiek Dumoulin called the partnership a “natural fit”.
Dumoulin added: "SmartPetPro has built an impressive business with a strong entrepreneurial culture, deep expertise in premium wet petfood and an excellent reputation in the German market.”
United Petfood said the transaction “lays the foundation” for the growth of SmartPetPro’s production plant in Dessau-Roßlau in eastern Germany.
"Joining forces with United Petfood gives us the opportunity to accelerate our growth while staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our company", SmartPetPro CEO Lars Oehlmann said.
Oehlmann will remain in charge as CEO, while co-founders Stefan Pfannmöller and Erich Herrmann will also stay “closely” engaged to support the company’s long-term development.
United Petfood makes dry and wet pet food, as well as biscuits and snacks for cats and dogs.
The group runs manufacturing sites across Europe, including locations in the UK, France and Poland.
It exports to more than 110 countries and has a workforce of over 3,500.
In April, the company expanded into Canada through the acquisition of a production site in Quebec from local peer Legault Group. The facility in Drummondville, which produces dry pet food, began operating in 2023.
It built on United Petfood’s purchase in March of a dry pet-food factory in Türkiye, alongside local partner Lider Petfood.
At the time, the company said the site in the western Turkish city of Kırklareli would help address “surging” demand at home and abroad, while acting as a “gateway” to eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, two years ago, United Petfood established a presence in the US through the purchase of an Indiana production plant from the Wellness Pet Company.
United Petfood did not respond to Just Food's request for further details on its latest acquisition.
