FRANKLIN, Tenn. — New private label manufacturer Red Collar Pet Foods has acquired Joplin, Missouri-based Hampshire Pet Products. Hampshire has been a leading co-manufacturer in baked and cold-formed pet treats since it was founded in 2001. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Hampshire Pet and its talented group of associates to the Red Collar family. The pet snack and treat market continues to grow at unprecedented rates and the Hampshire facility is one of the largest in the industry,” said Chris Hamilton, president and CEO of Red Collar. “Their commitment to food safety, quality and cutting-edge innovation make it a nimble, one stop manufacturing solution for brands and retailer partners alike.” 

Red Collar Pet Foods was born when Mars Petcare sold its private label pet food manufacturing business in December 2018 to private equity firm Arbor Investments. One of the five processing plants Red Collar acquired from Mars Petcare is a pet treat plant in Miami, Oklahoma that was formerly part of Doane Pet Care Company. In 2001, a group of former Doane employees started Hampshire in Joplin, Missouri, which is just 30 miles from Miami, Oklahoma.

According to today’s press release detailing Red Collar’s new acquisition, the increased production capabilities will make Red Collar one of the largest private label pet treat manufacturers in North America. The company aims to expand its premium and super premium baked and cold-formed treat capabilities through its acquisition of Hampshire.

“Over the past 18 years, we have experienced tremendous growth by adhering to our core principles and building great partnerships with our customers” Julie Larson, CEO of Hampshire Pet Products said. “By joining Red Collar, we now have an opportunity to accelerate that growth further with the combined scale of our businesses offering even more comprehensive and innovative manufacturing solutions for our customers. We are truly excited about this next chapter and are committed to ensuring a seamless transition to Red Collar in the coming months.”

According to Arbor Partner Chris Harned, Larson will continue to lead operations at the Joplin facility and report to Hamilton.  “We are excited to add Hampshire Pet’s well-regarded pet treat franchise to Red Collar’s treat business. Based right across the border in Miami, Oklahoma, the two treat businesses have complementary manufacturing capabilities, similar agile innovation-driven cultures and great track records of exceeding customer expectations. We look forward to continued growth and development of our two-plant pet treat ‘center of excellence’ together with veteran leader Julie Larson, who will report to Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of Red Collar,” Harned stated.

Pet Food Processing toured Hampshire’s Joplin plant in October 2018. Learn more about the co-manufacturer recently acquired by Red Collar Pet Foods.

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