H.I.G. WhiteHorse, the credit affiliate of global alternative investment firm H.I.G. Capital, has arranged a €120 million (US$126 million) financing package for French pet food group Nasta Petfood, funding its acquisition of FirstMate Pet Foods, a premium pet food manufacturer based in British Columbia, Canada.
Nasta, a family-owned group founded in 2016 and specializing in ultra-premium pet nutrition, operates production facilities in France and Italy. According to the company, the deal creates a combined platform spanning Europe and North America, with consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 tons of dry pet food and 4,000 tons of wet pet food, serving more than 400,000 households globally. The group targets approximately €200 million (US$210 million) in consolidated revenues in 2026.
"Our partnership with H.I.G. WhiteHorse marks the beginning of a new chapter of growth and maturity for Nasta," said Geoffroy Lefebvre, CEO of Nasta. "The support and trust of this world-class institution highlight the credibility of our project, of our teams, and of our brands' heritage. As we are engaging in this growth path, we are very pleased with the opportunity to partner with the H.I.G. teams to shape the future of our group."
Charles Bourgeois, managing director at H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, said his team is pleased to support Nasta in this important new phase of its development.
"Nasta is an amazing business: it has a strong positioning in the attractive and resilient ultra-premium pet nutrition segment, integrated industrial capabilities, a compelling international growth strategy, a high-caliber management team, and highly experienced shareholders," said Bourgeois. "The acquisition of FirstMate Pet Foods marks a key milestone in the group's expansion and significantly strengthens its footprint in the strategic North American market."
