Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN), formerly Wagg Foods, is a long-established pet food manufacturer known for its natural dog meals and pet treats under the Harringtons and Wagg brands. The manufacturer was acquired in December 2020 by international investment firm CapVest.
IPN’s acquisition of Pet Food UK is the start of a growth strategy, one that will help build scale and internationalize over the next few years, according to a press release.
“We are very excited to acquire Pet Food UK, which is highly complementary to our business and our values,” said James Lawson, CEO of IPN. “This acquisition is consistent with our vision to create a unique portfolio of loved and sustainable pet care brands helping make quality pet care affordable and accessible to all.”
The transaction is subject to conditions but is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.
About Inspired Pet Nutrition
According to Petfood Industry’s Top Companies Current Data, Inspired Pet Nutrition had an annual revenue of US$119,960,000, up from US$87,500,000 in 2012. The pet food company employs 163 people.
Some milestones for IPN include:
2020: IPN is acquired by CapVest and embarks on the next phase of growth and expansion 2017: Inspired Pet Nutrition launches Nineteen 87, a premium range of baked dog food and treats. 2016: Wagg Foods is renamed Inspired Pet Nutrition; product branding does not change. Inspired Pet Nutrition opens a new, 100,000-square-foot distribution center and offices near its headquarters. Storage capacity is 11,500 pallets, with room to add another 5,000 spaces. 2015: Wagg enters the wet food market with a wet food for dogs. 2013: Wagg announces plans to invest US$10.2 million to install a fourth piece of extruding equipment at its base in Dalton, UK, adding on to previous investments in the few years prior. The expansion was set to make the Dalton facility one of the largest extruder plants in Europe and allow for tremendous sales growth. 2012: Wagg Cat is launched. 2011: The company adds a third extruder, more robots and more packing lines. 2007: The company's pet food capacity is doubled with a second extruder.
About Pet Food UK
Pet Food UK, founded in 2009, sells premium dog and cat pet food and treats in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company’s brands, “Barking Heads” for dogs and “Meowing Heads” for cats, are premium natural pet food ranges formulated with high quality ingredients. In 2017, Piper, a United Kingdom consumer brands investment firm increased its presence in the natural foods market by investing £5 million (US$6.24 million) into Pet Food UK.
