Pure Treats Inc., the parent company of popular dog and cat treat brands, has announced the acquisition of Bar W Foods and Eighteen Below Partners LLC, which includes a leading human-grade meat processing and freeze-drying facility located in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We’re thrilled about the opportunities this acquisition offers our brands, customers, and devoted Pet Parents,” said Marc Cathcart, president of PureBites. “18 Below has operated a premier human-grade kitchen for the past 11 years, producing RAW freeze-dried treats, food, and toppers for pets. Led by Paul Wehba and his dedicated team, they are committed to providing top-quality meat and fish products to pets and their owners across North America.”
Eighteen Below is a second-generation, USDA-inspected kitchen in Fort Worth that has been supplying quality ground beef and hamburger patties to restaurants and grocery stores for 65 years.
“When we entered the pet industry 11 years ago, PureBites was one of our first customers. With few privately held leading pet food companies left, their commitment to using high-quality, human-grade ingredients in minimally processed treats aligns perfectly with our vision,” said Paul Wehba, owner and CEO of 18 Below. “We’re excited to join the PureBites family, transitioning our 80-member team from one second-generation private company to another.”
As part of the deal, Paul Wehba will remain in charge of operations at the Fort Worth kitchen, along with his entire management team.
“Paul and his team have built an outstanding business,” Cathcart stated. “We will continue to serve the strong customer base Paul has developed while ensuring that PureBites’ raw freeze-dried treats, food, and toppers are produced in our own human-grade kitchen and made available to pet parents throughout North America and beyond.”
The acquisition presents several advantages for PureBites and its customers. By leveraging 18 Below’s expertise, PureBites will expand its product offerings and capacity, catering to the increasing demand from pet owners seeking RAW freeze-dried treats, food, and toppers made with trustworthy, high-quality ingredients.
Norton Rose Fulbright provided legal counsel to PureBites, while Greenberg Traurig LLP represented 18 Below. Birdseye Advisory Group served as the financial representative for 18 Below.
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