Westfleisch, the second-largest meat group in Germany, has announced the acquisition of The Petfood Company, a local producer of wet pet food products. The deal, whose financial details were not disclosed, will allow Westfleisch to extend its value chain and to tap into the growing demand for premium pet food products. The deal will also secure around 60 jobs at The Petfood Company’s production facility in Bocholt, which will be expanded and developed by Westfleisch.
Westfleisch: A Leading Meat Group with a Diversified Business
Westfleisch, which was founded in 1928, is a leading meat group in Germany, with a turnover of 2.8 billion euros in 2023. Westfleisch, which is a cooperative owned by more than 4,000 farmers, operates 10 production sites across Germany, where it processes pork, beef, and veal. Westfleisch also exports its products to more than 40 countries worldwide, mainly in Europe and Asia.
Westfleisch has a diversified business, which includes various segments, such as fresh meat, convenience food, frozen food, and pet food. Westfleisch entered the pet food market in 2017, when it launched its own brand, Dog’s Nature, which offers dry pet food products made from natural and organic ingredients. Westfleisch also supplies pet food products to private-label customers and other brands.
The Petfood Company: A Specialist in Wet Pet Food Products
The Petfood Company, which was founded in 2009, is a specialist in wet pet food products, which are sold under various brands and labels. The Petfood Company, which is based in Bocholt, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, has a state-of-the-art production facility, which can produce up to 50,000 tons of wet pet food per year. The Petfood Company also has a strong focus on quality and safety, and holds various certifications, such as IFS, BRC, and Bio.
The Petfood Company offers a wide range of wet pet food products, which cater to different needs and preferences of pets and their owners. The Petfood Company’s products include pouches, trays, cans, and sausages, which are available in various flavors, such as chicken, beef, lamb, and fish. The Petfood Company also offers products for specific dietary requirements, such as grain-free, gluten-free, and organic.
The Acquisition: A Strategic Move to Strengthen the Pet Food Segment
The acquisition of The Petfood Company by Westfleisch is a strategic move to strengthen the pet food segment, which is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable segments in the food industry. The acquisition will allow Westfleisch to expand its product portfolio and to offer a complete range of pet food products, from dry to wet, and from standard to premium. The acquisition will also enable Westfleisch to leverage its raw materials, experience, and network, as well as to realize synergies and efficiencies.
The acquisition will also benefit The Petfood Company, which will gain access to Westfleisch’s resources and expertise, as well as to new markets and customers. The acquisition will also ensure the continuity and sustainability of The Petfood Company’s production facility and workforce, which will be supported and developed by Westfleisch.
Westfleisch CEO Dr Wilhelm Uffelmann said: “With this takeover, we have taken a further step towards extending our own value chain. Given the strong demand from our retail partners, we see high growth potential for The Petfood Company’s premium products. We want to exploit this together.”
Westfleisch COO Johannes Steinhoff said: “The Petfood Company is a very well-positioned producer in the wet pet food sector and has a state-of-the-art production facility. With our raw materials, our experience and our network, as well as the targeted realization of synergies, we will expand production in Bocholt, develop the production facility sustainably and secure around 60 jobs for the future.”