PwC's M&A consultants running Natural Pet Food Group sale
Spending on pets is booming amid the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, and private equity firm Pioneer Capital is on the verge of capitalising on the trend.
The Auckland-based investor has enlisted merger & acquisition consultants from PwC to help it sell its stake in Natural Pet Food, a portfolio company it acquired around eight years ago.
Founded in 2006, Natural Pet Food Group is a premium pet food manufacturer. The company makes food using high quality natural ingredients sourced in New Zealand, catering to the hunger of cats, dogs and other animals through its K9 Natural, Feline Natural and Meat Mates brands.
A statement on the company’s website reads, “Nothing is more important to us than the quality and safety of your pet’s food. That’s why we will never use anything other than the finest ingredients, and set the highest standards in our production methods. We have made the most of our natural resources; free-range meat from happy grass-fed and pasture raised animals, the finest seafood from sustainable sources, vegetables grown from fertile soil and cage-free chicken.”
PwC’s Corporate Finance team has now been tasked with finding a new owner, targeting both other private equity groups or strategic investors seeking to consolidate their position in a thriving market. Sources closes to the matter said that PwC has drafted the sale documents and is currently shopping the company to potential targets.
Natural Pet Food Group is one of the biggest players in New Zealand's premium pet food market alongside rival Ziwi Peak, which is also up for sale. On top of national sales, the company sells is products to pet owner in primarily Australia, China, Japan and the United States.
In related news, in September US-based Westminster Pet Products was picked-up by financial investor AUA Private Equity Partners, in a deal advised on by L.E.K. Consulting.
Earlier this year, PwC’s Australian Deal practice was engaged to oversee the sale of Auscott, one of Australia’s largest land, water and infrastructure agribusiness.
