C.J. Foods (CJF), manufacturer of private label, specialty dry pet food for U.S. superpremium brands, will acquire American Nutrition (ANI), a supplier of superpremium dry, canned and baked pet food and treats products. This transaction creates the largest independent manufacturer of superpremium pet food in the country, producing a total of one billion pounds of pet food annually, according to a press release from the C.J. Foods. The transaction is expected to close by April.
The acquisition of ANI will enable CJF to offer a full portfolio of pet food and treats with national and international distribution. David McLain, CEO, C.J. Foods, will join the board of directors. Tod Morgan remains chairman of the board and Bill Behnken, current president and CEO of ANI, will serve as board member.
C.J. Foods has a 35-year history in superpremium pet food manufacturing with a range of international capabilities serving superpremium brand owners and retailers.
ANI is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of superpremium dry, canned and baked pet food and treat products. ANI operates five SQF-certified manufacturing facilities throughout the United States.
C.J. Foods is a portfolio company of J. H. Whitney Capital Partners, a Connecticut based private equity firm, that has owned C.J. Foods since 2014 and acquired Lortscher’s Animal Nutrition (LANI) in 2018.
