USA – C.J. Foods, a custom manufacturer of specialty dry pet food has entered into an agreement to acquire American Nutrition, a leading supplier of super premium dry, canned and baked pet food & treats products.
The transaction is expected to create the largest independent manufacturer of super premium pet food in the country, producing a total of one billion pounds of pet food annually.
C.J. Foods said that the acquisition will enable the company to offer a full portfolio of pet food and treats with national and international distribution. The transaction is expected to close by April.
Upon closing of the acquisition, David McLain, the chief executive officer of C.J. Foods, will join the Board of Directors while Tod Morgan will remain the Chairman of the Board.
Bill Behnken, the current President and Chief Eexecutive Officer of Anumal Nutrition will also serve as Board member.
“This acquisition creates the leading manufacturer of super premium pet food with a national footprint, focused on producing and delivering the highest quality products to our customers,” said Morgan.
America Nutrition currently operates five manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and ranks as one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of premium dry, canned and baked pet food and treat products.
C.J. Foods said that America’s Nutrition manufacturing sites will strengthen its capabilities in the production of premium pet food.
“C.J. Foods and ANI are two world-class manufacturers with complementary capabilities that make the combination a win for our customers,” said Behnken.
“It truly enhances our ability to provide higher levels of innovation to meet the ever-evolving opportunities in premium pet nutrition.”
“CJF is thrilled to be moving forward with ANI to strengthen our customer value proposition with a continued singular focus on innovation and food safety, leading the industry with on-trend products,” said McLain.
C.J. Foods is a portfolio company of J. H. Whitney Capital Partners, a Connecticut based private equity firm, that has owned C.J. Foods since 2014 and acquired Lortscher’s Animal Nutrition (LANI) in 2018.
