Article Summary
United Petfood, a Belgium-based international pet food manufacturer, acquired a 50% stake in SmartPetPro, a German premium wet petfood producer, in a strategic partnership that combines international resources with local expertise to expand market presence and accelerate growth in Europe's premium petfood segment.
- United Petfood acquired a 50% stake in SmartPetPro, a German premium wet petfood manufacturer, marking a long-term strategic partnership
- The deal strengthens United Petfood's position in the German petfood market and expands its premium wet food product line
- SmartPetPro's CEO Lars Oehlmann will continue leading the company, with co-founders remaining involved in operations
- The partnership enables expansion of SmartPetPro's production facility in Dessau-Roßlau, Germany to meet growing demand
- United Petfood operates 29 production sites across Europe and America, with annual turnover exceeding €1.6 billion
United Petfood, an international pet food manufacturer headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, has acquired a 50% stake in SmartPetPro, a German producer of premium wet petfood. The transaction marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies.
According to United Petfood, the partnership strengthens its position in the German petfood market and expands its premium wet food offering. SmartPetPro gains access to additional expertise, international resources and a broader customer network.
"This partnership is a natural fit," said Dominiek Dumoulin, founder of United Petfood Group. "SmartPetPro has built an impressive business with a strong entrepreneurial culture, deep expertise in premium wet petfood and an excellent reputation in the German market."
As part of the agreement, Lars Oehlmann will continue to lead SmartPetPro as CEO. Co-founders Stefan Pfannmöller and Erich Herrmann will remain involved in the business. The partnership also lays the foundation for the continued expansion of SmartPetPro's production site in Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
"This transaction allows us to combine local entrepreneurship with international scale to create even more value for our customers and support their future growth" said Dries Eeckhout, CEO of United Petfood Group. "We are excited to welcome SmartPetPro into the United Petfood family and look forward to growing together."
United Petfood is a private label producer of dry and wet petfood and treats with 29 production sites in Europe and America. The company operates in more than 110 countries and reports annual turnover in excess of €1.6 billion (US$1.8 billion).
"From day one, SmartPetPro has focused on delivering premium quality, flexibility and close partnerships with our customers," said Oehlmann. "Joining forces with United Petfood gives us the opportunity to accelerate our growth while staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our company. Together, we are creating a strong platform for the future of premium petfood in Germany."
