US-based BrightPet Nutrition has acquired Raw Advantage Processing, a family-owned frozen raw pet food manufacturer.
Based in Lisbon, Ohio, BrightPet said it has increased its capacity to provide freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food with the move.
On top of extended manufacturing capability, the company has gained Raw Advantage’s West Coast base of operations, increasing the company’s distribution both domestically and internationally.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
CEO of BrightPet Dave Kowal stated that Raw Advantage’s CEO, Ryan Minch, has been a “skilled operator at the highest level”.
He added: “Raw Advantage’s consistent ability to deliver premium products that meet the exacting standards for food safety and quality have earned them a loyal customer base and positioned the company as a key player in the industry. Together, we expect to continue to deliver premium products that meet our customers’ high standards, enhance the well-being of pets, and bring joy to their owners.”
Minch said: “Joining forces with BrightPet gives us the assurance that Raw Advantage will continue to thrive and uphold our commitment to excellence, and we remain laser-focused on providing our valued customers with the same high levels of service and product quality that they have come to expect from us.”
BrightPet has now marked its third deal since it was backed by private-equity firm A&M Capital Partners, which took over the company in 2020. Previous owner Graham Partners sold their majority stake to A&M, having purchased the pet food company in 2016.
Last October, BrightPet made a similar move for another US frozen and freeze-dried pet food company Bravo Foods.
It snapped up fellow Ohio pet-food company Miracle Corp. the previous year, bringing the Steward, Hamilton and Miracle Care brands under its wings. The company also has the Blackwood, Adirondack and By Nature lines in its portfolio.
Ryan McCarthy, partner at A&M Capital Partners, said that the acquisition of Raw Advantage “aligns well with our investment thesis, focusing on accretive acquisitions in high-growth product categories.”
He added: “We believe the shared dedication to premium offerings, geographic synergies, and expanded production capabilities makes this a compelling strategic move that will deliver significant upside for both BrightPet and Raw Advantage customers.
“Looking to the future, there remains a robust pipeline of actionable targets to further strengthen the BrightPet platform, and we expect to continue to actively pursue strategic acquisition opportunities that position the Company for continued growth.”
