Author: Lisa Cleaver

Vetnique Labs, a pet health and wellness company, has acquired Lintbells, known for its YuMOVE brand of pet supplements, from private equity investor Inflexion. The transaction, backed by Gryphon Investors, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, with undisclosed financial terms.YuMOVE, a joint mobility supplement brand in the UK. for dogs and cats, also provides supplements that address digestive health, anxiety, dermatological and dental needs. Founded two decades ago in Hertfordshire, UK, YuMOVE emphasizes science-backed supplements for chronic health conditions and is a certified B Corporation.Vetnique Labs offers a range of vet-founded, vet-formulated and vet-recommended pet products,…

Petbuddy Group (PBG), a consortium of eight super-premium pet food brands based in Stockholm, Sweden, has acquired Thrive Pet Foods.According to PBG, Thrive Pet Foods, which has a market presence in Europe spanning over 20 years, offers a freeze-dried product portfolio of wet cat and dog food to PBG. The company said the integration of Thrive into the PBG family is designed to accelerate the brand’s growth and reach, leveraging PBG’s extensive network of leading global retailers.“Thrive’s innovative product range and market leadership in freeze-dried products perfectly complement our vision, said Alexander Retzlik, CEO of PGB. “We are committed to…

Excerpted from a press release.BinMaster, a division of Garner Industries and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, confirmed that it has temporarily suspended its production and shipping operations after a tornado damaged its facility on April 26.The company reported zero injuries after the tornado. It is currently implementing contingency plans to fully serve its customers.While the company did not say when operations would resume, it asked anyone with questions to contact their sales staff for assistance or call them directly. BinMaster’s office phones have been temporarily interrupted.For those who are unsure of their contact, general information can be obtained by email [email protected]…

Excerpted from a press release.German biotech startup MicroHarvest has teamed up with animal-free pet food producer VEGDOG to unveil its first-of-its-kind microbial protein dog treat.The novel treat will be available on May 6 at the 2024 Pet Food Forum taking place in Nuremberg, Germany, during Interzoo Europe.The VEGDOG Pure Bites snack, which the company says is a first for the dog food market in Europe, combines the new microbial protein from MicroHarvest with potato and apple pomace. With its hypoallergenic properties, it is designed for dogs that cannot tolerate conventional protein sources. Its high tolerance and digestibility as well as…

Nestlé Purina PetCare will hold its official opening of the pet care company’s newest pet food factory in Eden, North Carolina.Three years in the making, the $450 million operation has already created more than 300 new positions, with plans to add more staff in the future, the company said. Between 2020 and 2025, Nestlé is on track to invest $2 billion in Purina factory expansion and capital projects to enhance its manufacturing footprint. The company’s 24th factory is currently under construction in Williamsburg Township, Ohio, and is expected to be fully operational within the next 12 months. “Demand for our…

Excerpted from a press releaseThe Crump Group has unveiled plans to significantly expand its manufacturing facility in Nashville, North Carolina, USBased in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the company, which makes naturally produced, single- or limited-ingredient dog treats, said this expansion marks an important moment in the company’s commitment to growth, innovation and community impact. .Following the acquisition of the facility in 2021, which includes an initial investment in excess of US $40 million to acquire the property, manufacturing facility and equipment, The Crump Group will invest an additional US $85 million to expand its production capacity. The company, which offers premium…

Excerpted from a press release.Muenster Milling has completed its new freeze-drying facility in Denton, Texas. The vertically-integrated facility includes raw meat processing capabilities that can produce different protein blends and nutritional profiles, state-of-the-art freeze drying, and turnkey retail packaging in multiple sizes. With the opening of the new facility and warehouse, covering nearly 120,000 square feet, Muenster now operates more than 20 freeze dryers with the capacity to add more.Based in Muenster, Texas, the company has in-house product design and formulation capabilities to complement its customers’ development efforts, and its new freeze-drying facility can process and develop some popular that…

Successfully implementing automation can increase efficiency, quality and safety in a pet food manufacturing environment, said Dean Elkins, senior director of robotics and vision at Gray Solutions. The use of robots, vision systems and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) has never been easier to implement, operate and maintain.The pet food industry is facing increased demands for throughput, quality and flexibility, compounded by labor shortages and the need to meet flexible consumer needs effectively. Automation is the perfect way to augment the manufacturer’s needs to meet changing needs, Elkins said.”With increasing throughput and quality demands, and labor availability not always plentiful, manufacturers…

Nestlé Purina PetCare Offered a progress update on its new dry pet food facility under construction in Williamsburg Township, Ohio. Announced in 2020, the 1.3 million-square-foot operation — Purina’s first project built from the ground up since 1975 — is equipped with the best innovation and thinking to make production and logistics as streamlined and efficient as possible t can, says the company.Conveyers were recently installed inside the more than 10-story structure, with more installation, repair and testing equipment on the horizon.Nestlé Purina PetCareAn example of innovation is the automated warehousing system. Conveyors were recently installed inside the more than…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a voluntary recall of batches of a hamster and gerbil feed after an ingredient tested positive for Salmonella.According to a report in Newsweek, the Central Valley Ag Cooperative initiated a voluntary recall on February 26 for some lGS Hamster/Gerbil + Turmeric bulk super sacks after testing revealed the possible presence of salmonella. The affected products have lot code B0624179808 11399 OXBOW and have a best-by date of 2/6/2026.According to the recall notice published by the FDA, 7,464 pounds of hamster and gerbil feed were affected.Salmonella can affect animals that eat the products…