natural balance pet food merger

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

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Del Monte Foods Buys Natural Balance Pet Foods

By Mike Sagman

Updated: September 27, 2023

May 22, 2013 Del Monte Foods has announced it has purchased Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Pet Foods in a recent merger agreement.

Del Monte is one of the nations largest producers of pet food and pet treat products. The giant corporation generated net sales of about $3.7 billion last year.

Del Monte Foods portfolio of pet food and snack brands includes:

9Lives
Meow Mix
Milk-Bone
Pup-Peroni
Gravy Train
Milos Kitchen
Kibbles n Bits
Natures Recipe
Canine Carry Outs
And many others

Natural Balance Pet Foods was founded in 1989 by Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick. The company now offers more than 225 different dog and cat products.

Natural Balance products include:

Natural Balance Organic
Natural Balance Eatables
Delectable Delights Stews
Natural Balance Alpha Dog
Natural Balance L.I.D. Diets
Natural Balance Ultra Pet Foods
And many others

The purchase price and financial terms have not yet been disclosed. The merger includes all Natural Balance brands, products and other trademarks.

The companies expect the deal to close in mid-June.

Natural Balance and Canidae Join Forces Under Ethos Pet Brands

Premium pet food brands reinforce their commitments to the highest quality nutrition

BROWNWOOD, Texas, Aug. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethos Pet Brands, the new parent company created by the merger of industry-leading brands Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., and Canidae Pet Food Company, was unveiled today. The combination will leverage both companies' shared passion for improving the well-being and lives of pets through simple nutrition, responsibly sourced ingredients, and protein-rich products.

"Ethos," the original and long-standing name ofCanidae's manufacturing facility in Brownwood, Texas, reflects both companies' character, honesty and integrity while representing their commitment to providing high-quality nutrition and premium ingredients.

Natural Balance, known for its Limited Ingredient recipes and Original Ultra product lines for dogs and cats, and Canidae's Pure, Goodness, and All Life Stages products developed for dogs and cats of all ages, offer complementary yet differentiated comprehensive food solutions sold through the pet specialty, independent and ecommerce channels. The state-of-the-art Brownwood facility, opened in 2012, will now manufacture products for both brands.

"Ethos Pet Brands marks the collaboration between two exceptional companies recognized for their best-in-class offerings for pet parents and their beloved pets," said GregShearson, chairman of the board, Ethos Pet Brands. "The Ethos Pet Brands leadership team was thoughtfully assembled and represents deep experience in the pet specialty space. I am confident they will build upon this strong foundation and guide this new company into a promising future."

Natural Balance andCanidae first announced plans to merge in March 2023. Natural Balance has a 30-year history of developing premium products with high-quality, protein-forward ingredients spanning dog food, cat food, and treats. For the past 25 years, Canidae has offered dog and cat food products focusing on goodness for pets and the planet through regenerative agriculture and sustainable operations.

As part of the transaction,L Catterton, a leading global consumer-focused investment firm and majority shareholder of Canidae, and Nexus Capital Management, an alternative asset investment company and majority shareholder of Natural Balance, each contributed new growth capital to support the successful integration and strategic long-term expansion of the combined company.

To stay updated with Ethos Pet Brands, follow along onLinkedIn.

About Natural BalanceFounded in 1989, Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. is a premium pet specialty brand with a complete offering of pet foods for both dogs and cats. The Natural Balance product line comprises over 100 dog and cat food and treat varieties, including Limited Ingredient, Original Ultra, and REWARDS. Natural Balance delivers quality, safety-tested food in every bag. Their Feed with Confidence Program provides comprehensive, on-demand safety testing data to help eliminate wonder or worry. Their team of Registered Veterinary Technicians is available via online chat and phone to answer questions and ease concerns. Visit naturalbalanceinc.com for more information.

AboutCanidae Pet Food CompanyFrom the first truckload of food delivered to the latest batch of pet food cooked in their pet nutrition plant in Brownwood, Texas, Canidae's story is one to be proud of. Canidae was founded in 1996 by two pet owners who knew they could make pet food better. Better nutrients. Better flavor. Better for our dogs and cats and better for us all. They've been committed to quality ever since. That commitment is upheld today in more than just their nutrient-rich, premium pet food. It inspires everything they do, from the land they harvest and the farmers they work with, to the people they employ and the local pet food stores they partner with. All of Canidae's products are vet-reviewed high-quality and perfectly balanced for optimal health at an affordable price point with no fillers, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. Canidae is partnering with US farmers and green technology companies to bring new, sustainable practices to pet food including lowering pesticide use, reducing runoff and adopting regenerative farming practices. For more information on Canidae, please visitwww.canidae.com.

AboutL CattertonLCatterton is a market-leading consumer-focused investment firm, managing approximately $34 billion of capital and three multi-product platforms: private equity, credit, and real estate. Leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad network of strategic relationships, L Catterton's team of more than 200 investment and operating professionals across 17 offices partners with management teams to drive differentiated value creation across its portfolio. Founded in 1989, the firm has made over 250 investments in some of the world's most iconic consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit www.lcatterton.com.

About Nexus Capital Management LPNexus is an alternative asset investment management company based in Los Angeles, California that was founded in 2013. Nexus employs a flexible investment mandate that focuses on long-term value creation by partnering with leading management teams and businesses across the consumer, education, business services and industrials sectors. For more information on Nexus, please visitwww.nexuslp.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Haley McGraw | [email protected]| M: 704.619.9108

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SOURCE Ethos Pet Brands

UPLAND, Calif.andSTAMFORD, Conn.,March 21, 2023/PRNewswire/ Natural Balance, a leading premium specialty pet food brand, and Canidae, a premium, sustainable pet food company, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine. The combination unites two renowned specialty pet food brands with complementary yet differentiated offerings to drive innovation and growth for the benefit of pet parents everywhere. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For more than 30 years, Natural Balance has offered premium products with high-quality, protein-forward ingredients spanning dog food, cat food, and treats. Similarly, since its founding 25 years ago, Canidae has a rich history in the pet food space, offering both dog and cat food products with a focus on goodness for pets and the planet through regenerative agriculture and sustainable operations. The combination will leverage both companies shared passion for improving the well-being and lives of pets through simple nutrition, responsibly sourced ingredients, and protein-rich products. The combined companys flagship offerings will include Canidaes Pure, Goodness, and All Life Stages, as well as Natural Balances Limited Ingredient (LI) and Original Ultra product lines.

As part of the transaction,LCatterton, a leading global consumer-focused investment firm and majority shareholder of Canidae, and Nexus Capital Management, an alternative asset investment company and majority shareholder of Natural Balance, are each contributing new growth capital to support the successful integration and strategic long-term expansion of the combined company.

Andrew TaubandMatt Lischick, Managing Partner and Partner atLCatterton, said, Both Canidae and Natural Balance have rich legacies, solid brand recognition, and strong consumer affinity, and this combination allows us to build on the strengths of each company. As a combined company, we will be able to streamline manufacturing capabilities, invest in product innovation, and build on each companys partnerships with key pet retailers. We are excited to leverage our deep experience investing in the pet category to position our new platform as a leading provider of premium pet food.

Damian GiangiacomoandJonathan Whitlock, Partner and Managing Director at Nexus Capital, added, Natural Balance has a proven position as a pioneer in the premium specialty pet food industry, and we are confident that Canidae is the ideal partner to enhance and accelerate the brands strategic growth following the past two years as a stand-alone business. Together, we will create high-quality products anchored around premium, limited ingredient formulas, and benefit from enhanced scale and a talented workforce. Natural Balance and Canidae share a commitment to nurturing the health of both our pets and our planet and we look forward to offering even greater choice and value to our customers.

About Natural Balance

Natural Balance is a leading premium pet food brand specializing in high-quality dog and cat food products sold exclusively through the pet specialty and ecommerce channels. Natural Balance has a 30+ year history in premium formulations and was a pioneer of limited ingredient diets.

For more information on Natural Balance, please visitwww.naturalbalanceinc.com.

About Canidae Pet Food Company

From the first truckload of food delivered to the latest batch of pet food cooked in their Pet Nutrition plant inBrownwood, Texas, Canidaes story is one to be proud of. Canidaewas founded in 1996 by two pet owners who knew they could make pet food better. Better nutrients. Better flavor. Better for our dogs and cats and better for us all. Theyve been committed to quality ever since. That commitment is upheld today in more than just their nutrient-rich, premium pet food. It inspires everything they do, from the land they harvest and the farmers they work with, to the people they employ and the local pet food stores they partner with. All of Canidaes products are vet-reviewed high-quality and perfectly balanced for optimal health at an affordable price point with no fillers, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. Canidae is partnering with US farmers and green technology companies to bring new, sustainable practices to pet food including lowering pesticide use, reducing runoff and adopting regenerative farming practices.

For more information on Canidae, please visitwww.canidae.com.

AboutLCatterton

LCatterton is a market-leading consumer-focused investment firm, managing approximately$33 billionof capital across three multi-product platforms: private equity, credit, and real estate. Leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad network of strategic relationships,LCattertons team of more than 200 investment and operating professionals across 17 offices partners with management teams to drive differentiated value creation across its portfolio. Founded in 1989, the firm has made over 250 investments in some of the worlds most iconic consumer brands.

For more information aboutLCatterton, please visitwww.lcatterton.com.

About Nexus Capital Management LP

Nexus is an alternative asset investment management company based inLos Angeles, Californiathat was founded in 2013. Nexus employs a flexible investment mandate that focuses on long-term value creation by partnering with leading management teams and businesses. Nexus invests across the consumer, education, business services and industrials sectors. The firm prides itself on being a flexible, creative investor and a reliable, transparent partner to companies and management teams.

For more information on Nexus, please visitwww.nexuslp.com.

Source: Link

Natural Balance and Canidae Sign Merger Agreement

Natural Balance, a leading premium specialty pet food brand, and Canidae, a premium, sustainable pet food company, have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine. The combination unites two renowned specialty pet food brands with complementary yet differentiated offerings to drive innovation and growth for the benefit of pet owners everywhere, company officials said. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For more than 30 years, Natural Balance has offered premium products with high-quality, protein-forward ingredients spanning dog food, cat food and treats. Similarly, since its founding 25 years ago, Canidae has a long history in the pet food space, offering both dog and cat food products with a focus on goodness for pets and the planet through regenerative agriculture and sustainable operations, officials said. The combination will leverage both companies shared passion for improving the well-being and lives of pets through simple nutrition, responsibly sourced ingredients and protein-rich products, officials said. The combined companys flagship offerings will include Canidaes Pure, Goodness, and All Life Stages, as well as Natural Balances Limited Ingredient (LI) and Original Ultra product lines.

As part of the transaction, L Catterton, a global consumer-focused investment firm and majority shareholder of Canidae, and Nexus Capital Management, an alternative asset investment company and majority shareholder of Natural Balance, are each contributing new growth capital to support the successful integration and strategic long-term expansion of the combined company, officials reported.

Both Canidae and Natural Balance have rich legacies, solid brand recognition, and strong consumer affinity, and this combination allows us to build on the strengths of each company, said Andrew Taub, managing partner and Matt Lischick, partner at L Catterton. As a combined company, we will be able to streamline manufacturing capabilities, invest in product innovation, and build on each companys partnerships with key pet retailers. We are excited to leverage our deep experience investing in the pet category to position our new platform as a leading provider of premium pet food.

Damian Giangiacomo, partner, and Jonathan Whitlock, managing director, at Nexus Capital, added: Natural Balance has a proven position as a pioneer in the premium specialty pet food industry, and we are confident that Canidae is the ideal partner to enhance and accelerate the brands strategic growth following the past two years as a stand-alone business. Together, we will create high-quality products anchored around premium, limited-ingredient formulas, and benefit from enhanced scale and a talented workforce. Natural Balance and Canidae share a commitment to nurturing the health of both our pets and our planet and we look forward to offering even greater choice and value to our customers.