France’s pet food producer Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food is investing to expand its manufacturing capabilities and product range, according to company representatives.
In a statement issued to Petfoodindustry.com, the company said that, in the coming months, the pet food maker’s factory in south-western France will have its output capability increased.
“In 2023 and 2024, we modernized our industrial infrastructure, which significantly increased our production capacity. In July 2024, we started a major expansion project of our industrial site to add 5,000 square meters of surface to the existing 8,000 square meters. This project should be completed in April 2025,” the statement said.
The French company sells pet food under its flagship Ultra Premium Direct brand. Last year, Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food added four new kibble recipes for dogs and cats to its portfolio, rolling out products with fresh poultry and salmon.
“In 2025, we will continue to innovate with new products designed to meet the specific needs of animals. In particular, we will expand our Care range to meet their specific needs, a range designed to cover the needs of dogs with targeted problems,” according to the business.
“We will also strengthen our presence in the treats market by launching new ranges dedicated to dogs and cats. In addition to this, another expansion of our production capacities is under consideration, with a project to launch a new line that will integrate even more advanced technologies to meet the growing demand for our products,” the French company said.
Alongside these plans, the pet food specialist is planning to open some 10 new stores under its brand across France, bringing its existing network to some 28 outlets until the end of 2025.
Vafo’s UK subsidiary acquires BIOME9
Pooch & Mutt, a UK-based pet food business owned by the Czech Republic’s Vafo Group, has announced its acquisition of BIOME9, a firm focused on personalized gut health testing and science-backed supplement plans for dogs.
“This strategic move reinforces Pooch & Mutt’s commitment to improving the customer experience and delivering holistic solutions that help dogs of all needs and breeds lead happy, healthy lives,” Vafo said in a statement. “BIOME9’s team and operations will integrate smoothly into Pooch & Mutt, ensuring continued excellence and innovation in pet nutrition. The company will continue innovating in pet gut health science to enhance pet well-being.”
The Czech pet food maker acquired Pooch & Mutt in 2020.
“We’ve always believed in giving pets what they genuinely need, because we genuinely care and BIOME9 is going to help us achieve a better understanding of exactly what that is,” said Paul Dennison, the CEO of Pooch & Mutt.
“The acquisition of BIOME9 allows us to expand our offerings with products that perfectly complement our existing portfolio and we will be positioned better to give our customers tailored advice as well as products that ensure dogs’ health needs are supported allowing them to thrive,” according to Dennison.
UK pet food producer readies to open new Polish factory
UK dog food manufacturer Butternut Box is advancing an investment to launch a new production facility in Poland where the company owns local industry player PsiBufet. Under the plan, the project is to be completed this year.
Located at CTPark Zabrze, in Poland’s south-western region, within the country’s Katowice special economic zone, the investment is estimated to be worth some PLN 310 million (US$76.5 million), according to the information obtained by local news site Portalspozywczy.pl.
PsiBufet, a brand that focuses on fresh, individually tailored food for dogs, delivered directly to pets in a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, was taken over in 2023.
