Arbor Investments Announces Completion of Sale of Red Collar Pet Foods’ Treat Manufacturing Facility in Miami, Oklahoma to Nestlé Purina PetCare Company

CHICAGO, Ill. (MARCH 10, 2023) -- Arbor Investments (“Arbor”), a specialized private equity firm focused exclusively on investing in food, beverage and related industries is pleased to announce that its Fund IV portfolio company, Red Collar Pet Foods (“Red Collar” or the “Company”), has completed the sale of its Miami, Oklahoma, pet treat manufacturing facility to Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (“Nestlé Purina”).

Since 2022, Red Collar has co-manufactured several soft chew pet treats for Nestlé Purina under the Purina treats portfolio and Zuke's brands.

Nestlé Purina’s decision to purchase Red Collar’s Miami facility was based on the facility and its employees’ capabilities and commitment to quality and safety. The sale includes the transfer of approximately 80 employees involved in the operations.

“As a customer of Red Collar, Nestlé Purina recognized the quality of our plants, operations, and people,” said Arbor Senior Operating Partner, Tim Fallon. “For more than 25 years, they have produced some of the highest quality, nutritious treats in the industry and we’re gratified to know that our associates will join a world-class organization and continue that tradition.”

This transaction is in addition to earlier divestures of Red Collar Pet Foods’ dry pet food manufacturing network to Colgate’s Hill’s Pet Nutrition, announced September 2022.

“We’re thrilled to complete this next divestiture at Red Collar, thanks to the collective efforts of the Red Collar and Arbor teams,” said Arbor Investment Partner, Chris Tuffin. “The interest we received in the platform is a testament to the outstanding business our teams built.”

Gross proceeds resulting from the various Red Collar divestitures to date exceed $840 million. While Red Collar has divested a significant majority of the platform, it retains the Red Collar brand, continues to operate its Joplin, Missouri, treats business, and administers various corporate functions in connection with the divestitures.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Red Collar Pet Foods and Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to Red Collar Pet Foods and Arbor Investments on the transaction.

ARBOR INVESTMENTS ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF SALE OF RED COLLAR PET FOODS DRY KIBBLE MANUFACTURING BUSINESS, CONTINUES AS PET TREAT MANUFACTURER

Sept. 30, 2022

Arbor Investments (“Arbor”), a specialized private equity firm that focuses exclusively on investing in food, beverage and related industries is pleased to announce that its Fund IV portfolio company, Red Collar Pet Foods (“Red Collar” or the “Company”), has completed the sale of its dry kibble pet food manufacturing business to the Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL, “Colgate”) to support the growth of its Hill’s Pet Nutrition business. The transferred business includes Red Collar’s three dry kibble manufacturing plants located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Clinton, Oklahoma and Washington Court House, Ohio, employees associated with the dry manufacturing business, as well as related finished goods and raw material inventories. Additionally, earlier this month, Red Collar completed the sale of certain real estate assets located in San Bernardino, California to an unrelated third party. Gross proceeds of the transactions exceeded $775 million.


Read Article Here: Arbor Investments Announcement

Red Collar Pet Foods Launches "Find a Career, Save a Pet" Program

Red Collar Pet Foods Launches "Find a Career, Save a Pet" Program

Red Collar Pet Food’s New Program Helps People Find Careers and Pets Find New Homes

The “Find a Career, Save a Pet” program aims to fill dozens of jobs in the Four States area at Red Collar’s Joplin, Mo., and Miami, Okla., manufacturing plants and offset costs of finding pets forever homes from Joplin Humane Society

JOPLIN, Mo. (April 27, 2022) – Today, Red Collar Pet Foods (“Red Collar”), a leading private label and national brand contract manufacturer of pet food and treats, announced a new innovative recruiting initiative to help people and pets in the Four States area. The “Find a Career, Save a Pet” program aims to pair people with well-paying, rewarding careers while finding new homes for loving pets. For each new job offer extended by Red Collar at the Joplin, Mo., and Miami, Okla., plants through the end of May, the company will sponsor the cost of adopting a pet at the Joplin Humane Society.

Red Collar Pet Foods Launches Project Paws Hiring Initiative

Red Collar Pet Foods Launches Project Paws Hiring Initiative

JOPLIN, Mo. – June 17, 2021 – Red Collar Pet Foods has partnered with the Joplin Humane Society to launch Project Paws, a summer hiring initiative designed to fill 60 new positions at the treats plant, while also giving back to the community.

“As part of our commitment to the community and to pets, we are partnering this summer with the Joplin Humane Society to launch Project Paws,” said Red Collar President and CEO Chris Hamilton. “The initiative supports our need for summer and longer-term associates to meet our increased production demands while also supporting the valuable work of the Joplin Humane Society with food donations, pet adoptions and a spay and neuter clinic. We are pet people and work hard each day to provide and produce baked treats for our furry family members and invite those seeking employment opportunities to join our team.”

Red Collar Pet Foods Announces $5.7 Million Manufacturing Plant Expansion

Red Collar Pet Foods Announces $5.7 Million Manufacturing Plant Expansion

High demand for products and increased packaging capabilities lead to new 85,000 square foot building

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – April 7, 2021 – Red Collar Pet Foods is embarking on a $5.7 million expansion at its Clinton, Oklahoma manufacturing plant located one mile south of I-40 on US 183.

The new 85,000 square foot warehouse will be built on the south side of the existing building to help meet the high demand for products, and is on the heels of Red Collar’s expansion of its packaging capabilities. Construction is set to begin at end of the year.

Food for Thought: What Contributes to a Pet’s Healthy Diet

Pet Age Magazine Article

Published March 1st, 2021

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In this Pet Age article, pet food industry experts including our Director of Product Development Mike Thatcher, share their deep knowledge and experience on what they believe contributes to a Pet’s healthy diet.

With over 50 years of experience serving consumers and their pets and more than 20 years’ expertise serving retail partners and their customers’ needs, Red Collar Pet Foods is a company that knows the ins and outs of the pet food industry. Agreeing that consumer education has been growing, Mike Thatcher, director of product development at Red Collar Pet Foods, feels that transparency and simplicity are key drivers of pet food nutrition labeling.

Read the article here including more insight from Mike Thatcher: Food for Thought: What Contributes to a Pet’s Healthy Diet

Trusted Partners in the Pet Food Industry

Trusted Partners in the Pet Food Industry

The Pet Food Industry is highly regulated, and understandably so. With pet food recalls seen recently, trust in Big Pet Care has declined. Pet parents are looking for safety, quality, and reassurance that what goes into their pet's bag and into their bowl is of the highest quality, the highest nutrition, and adheres to the highest safety standards. We welcome that scrutiny and consistently meet those standards.

Here are a few ways that we consistently meet the high standards set for our industry:

Pet Food Processing Crisis Management Article

Pet Food Processing - March 2021 Edition

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The highly regulated pet food industry continues to gain attention as consumers put as much, if not more, consideration into their pet’s health, diet and wellbeing as they do for their human children. As such, expectations are high and something as simple and innocuous as a human error or an isolated mistake holds the potential to ignite a crisis.

Read the article including insight from Red Collar CEO Chris Hamilton here.

Office Snapshot Magazine Highlights Red Collar Office Design

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BOX Studios achieved the pet-friendly office design for Red Collar Pet Foods located in Franklin, Tennessee.

With a new owner, name, and branding in tow, Red Collar Pet Foods desired a workplace that celebrated both its rebirth and its inherent company culture. Located just outside Nashville, the premium private label’s new 16,600 square-foot space sets an impactful stage for employee and client alike — whether two-legged or four.

Read the article here.

Red Collar Sponsors Joplin MO Dog Park

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JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Parks and Recreation Department is selling dog park passes for its 2021 season. The Parr Hill Dog Park is located at 18th and Kansas and gives dogs and their owners a safe place to play year-round. The park is split into two sections for small and big dogs. “Red Collar Pet Foods” is partnering with the city to sponsor the park and will be adding new amenities.

Read the story here.

RECIPE FOR RESILIENCE

June 2020 issue of Pet Food Processing

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Most who have managed a business of any size would say that it is not a straight path. Manufacturing businesses are particularly challenging, and companies are presented with many twists and turns along their journey. Being resilient as a company doesn’t necessarily mean staying the course. A resilient company is able to identify the path through whatever stands in its way.

Read full article here.

4 Pillars of a Disruption Proof Pet Food Business - Part 1

4 Pillars of a Disruption Proof Pet Food Business - Part 1

2020 brought an unprecedented level of challenge and opportunity to the business community in North America and the world. Red Collar Pet Foods was no different. Whether it was sourcing raw materials, managing supply solutions, prioritizing associate safety, we had to, and continue to pivot and adjust our sails and find innovative and creative solutions. Our customers, and our furry friends, continue to depend on us to be a trusted partner who will keep them in stock and serviced throughout the pandemic.