MINNEAPOLIS — Cargill has agreed to acquire St. Marys, Ohio-based Pro-Pet, a producer of private label and co-manufactured pet foods, including Black Gold premium dog food. The transaction is expected to close within 30 days, subject to customary approvals. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Pro-Pet has three manufacturing facilities in Owatonna, Minn.; St. Marys; and Kansas City, Kas. The company employs more than 150 workers.
“Pro-Pet’s commitment to high-quality, safe pet food and passion for the pet food business is the perfect fit for our Cargill Animal Nutrition business, and allows us to better serve our customers seeking a focused supplier for both animal feed and pet food options,” said Pilar Cruz, president of Cargill Feed and Nutrition.
The Pro-Pet acquisition makes Cargill the only national supplier of both animal feed and pet food offerings in the agricultural retail segment, according to the company. Cargill operates 50 animal feed production and distribution facilities across the United States in both branded and private label pet food segments. The addition of Pro-Pet brings increased production capacity and proximity to Cargill's existing agricultural retail customers.
“Cargill’s vast resources and competency in sourcing of commodities, along with their reputation in the agricultural retail business sector, makes Cargill the natural and best partner for Pro-Pet,” said Jim Wiegmann, president and chief executive officer of Pro-Pet. “There is no organization that can leverage the strengths and capabilities of Pro-Pet better than Cargill, which will enhance our ability to serve retail partners and pet food brand owners.”Read more about corporate strategy, financial performance, mergers and acquisitions in the pet food segment on our Business page.
