Colgate-Palmolive plans to exit from private-label pet food production in 2025. The company announced that in their revenue briefing released on Jan. 31. Hill’s Pet Nutrition made up 23.1% of parent company Colgate-Palmolive’s sales in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024, following a net sales increase of 2.3% and organic sales increase of 2.9% compared to Q4 2023. Hill’s sales volume grew 0.8% during Q4 2024 compared to the same quarter in the previous year, while pricing increased 2%. Hill’s operating profits reached US$275 in Q4 2024, an increase of 19% over Q3 2023.
Colgate-Palmolive’s overall pet segment, including Hill’s and private label operations, had net sales of US$1,140 in Q4 2024, an increase over US$1,114 in Q4 2023. For the whole of 2024, Colgate-Palmolive’s pet business brought in US$4,483 million in net sales, up from US$4,290 million in 2023. Operating profits in 2024 were US$965 million, an increase from US$806 million in 2023.
About Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Hill’s Pet Nutrition traces its origin to 1939 when veterinarian Mark Morris Sr. developed a special diet for a guide dog named Buddy, who suffered from kidney disease. In 1948, Morris partnered with the Hill Packing Company of Topeka, Kansas, to produce Canine k/d. As demand for science-based pet food grew, Hill’s expanded its product lines, launching Hill’s Science Diet in 1968. Hill’s expanded in cat foods in 1963 with a diet designed to support urinary tract health.
Hill’s was acquired by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976. Under Colgate’s ownership, Hill’s expanded distribution and increased research investments and marketing efforts.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition developments and expansions
- 2019: A major voluntary recall of Hill’s canned dog food occurred due to elevated levels of vitamin D.
- 2022: Hill’s acquired the Nutriamo pet food facility in Italy, expanding its European production capabilities.
- 2022: Hill’s announced the planned acquisition of three manufacturing plants from Red Collar Pet Foods, further expanding its U.S. production footprint.
- 2023 (January): Hill's Pet Nutrition relocated its global and U.S. headquarters to Aspiria Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, USA.
- 2023: Colgate-Palmolive opened its Tonganoxie, Kansas plant. The 365,000-square-foot facility increased the company's production capacity for canned pet food and facilitated continued expansion of Hill's Science Diet and Prescription Diet brands. The facility is located on more than 80 acres.
