Cargill announces acquisition of Pro-Pet

Cargill, a national supplier of animal feed in the agricultural retail space has announced an agreement to acquire pet food company, Pro-Pet.

Saint Mary’s, Ohio-based Pro-Pet is a private label and co-manufactured pet food brand whose portfolio of products includes the Black Gold label of dog food. This latest acquisition will make Minneapolis-based Cargill the only national supplier of animal feed and pet food offerings, the company said.  

“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,” Pilar Cruz, president of Cargill Feed and Nutrition said.

The pet food company currently has more than 150 employees and three pet food manufacturing facilities in Owatonna, Minn.; St. Marys, Ohio; and Kansas City, Kan. Being acquired by Cargill will allow the brand to increase production capacity and proximity to existing agricultural retail customers to better meet growth needs within pet food, the company said.

“The pet food category continues to change, as indicated by the increased focus on premium offerings,” Mark Lueking, U.S. managing director of Cargill Feed and Nutrition, said.  “Pro-Pet has the capability to satisfy this market need, and our mutual passion for serving customers make us a strong cultural fit.  We look forward to growing the business together by delivering a range of options to meet customer demand.”