Pet Product News - June 2017

Animal Supply Co. (ASC), a na- tional pet food and supplies distributor, will acquire the assets of Lads Pet Supplies, based in Angola, N. Y. Lads offers brands such as Fromm, Bayer, KLN, Mer-rick and Zignature.

“Expanding our presence in the
Northeast and mid-Atlantic—fur-
thering our relationship with our
current customers and welcoming
new customers to the ASC fami-
ly further grows our distribution
platform essential to our strategic
plan,” said Don McIntyre, CEO of
ASC, based in Irving, Texas. “We
also welcome the entire Lads team
to ASC, which Ron Smith will con-
tinue to lead as president of Lads.”
Founded in 1963 by Bill and Doris
Smith, Lads Pet Supplies has a long
history of customer service. Lads’
focus has been on partnering with
independent pet specialty retailers,
according to company officials.

“This is an exciting opportunity
for two great companies,” said Ron
Smith. “Lads and ASC both share
a passion for pets and a focus on
strong relationships with our cus-
tomers and vendors.”
Lads will operate as a separate
division of ASC and will continue
to service customers as Lads Pet
Supplies. Lads operations will re-
main unchanged.

ACQUISITION NEWS
PETCO ACQUIRES PET ADVICE
WEBSITE AND APP

Petco has acquired PetCoach, a Wayne, Pa.-based digital services company that connects pet owners with experienced veterinary professionals for personalized answers to improve the overall health and well-being of their pets by providing convenience, data and easy access to expert advice.

As part of the acquisition, Brock Weatherup, PetCoach co-founder and CEO, will join the national pet specialty retailer as executive vice president, strategic innovation and digital experience. In this new role, Weatherup will be responsible for driving Petco’s growth through innovation and enterprisewide, consum-er-focused digital initiatives.

Before co-founding PetCoach, Weath-
erup served as venture partner of tech
accelerator ICONYC Labs and managing
director of his angel investment fund, Atai
Ventures. Previously, he was senior vice
president/chief digital offer at PetSmart
after its purchase of Pet360, where he was
co-founder and CEO for five years. Weath-
erup was also co-founder and CEO of Fat-
head and a senior leader at InterActiveCorp.

“Nurturing powerful relationships for
better lives together is at the heart of all
we do,” said Brad Weston, CEO of Petco,
which is headquartered in San Diego. “As
we continue evolving our value proposi-
tion—helping pet owners wherever and
however they want to improve the health
and well-being of their pet—we believe
that an entrepreneurial and digital leader
of Brock’s caliber will help Petco exceed
the ever-changing digital expectations of
the modern pet parent.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

WHITEBRIDGE PET BRANDS BUYS DOGSWELL

Whitebridge Pet Brands has completed the acquisition of Arthur Dogswell LLC, the Los Angeles-based maker of Dogswell and Nutrisca treats and foods for dogs and cats.

Marco Giannin founded Dogswell in 2004. St. Louis-based Whitebridge Pet Brands, led by CEO Olivier Amice, was founded in January 2015 with the merger of Cloud Star, a pet treat manufacturer, and Petropics, maker of Tiki Cat and Tiki Dog.

“At Whitebridge Pet Brands, our team shares a passion
for pets and the belief that natural and minimally processed
nutrition positively impacts the health and happiness of dogs
and cats,” said Amice. “We are very excited that Dogswell and
Nutrisca will be joining Whitebridge Pet Brands’ portfolio, as
Dogswell functional meaty treats and Nutrisca grain- and po-
tato-free foods are complementary to our other brands. Merg-
ing the two companies will allow us to leverage our combined
structure to better service our distributors and retailers and
accelerate our overall growth.”
Customers and consumers can be assured of minimal dis-
ruption as the businesses are integrated, said company officials.

DISTRIBUTION NEWS
EAZEE BY FOOLEE GROOMING LINE GAINS DISTRIBUTION IN 29 STATES

Swees America Inc. has partnered with Pet Food Experts. The independent pet food and supply distributor is headquartered in Cumberland, R.I., and services more than 3,500 retailers in 29 states. Through the partnership, Pet Food Experts will be distributing the Eazee by Foolee deshedding tool from New York-based Swees America.

“We are excited to be partnering with Pet Food Experts,” said Eddy Cathaud, CEO
of Swees America. “They take great pride in their friendly and professional service and
highly value their customers, which makes us confident that our partnership will be
successful.”
Swees America offers the Eazee by Foolee Click & Brush deshedding tool, which
features a composite plastic comb with smooth, rounded teeth. The Eazee deshedding
tool is available in six colors and in small, medium and large sizes for dogs. A tool for
cats that comes in six colors is also available.

BOO BOO’S BEST TEAMS UP WITH MELLO SALES GROUP

Mello Sales Group will represent Boo Boo’s Best’s line of Boosters! Training Treats, Food
Toppers and Single-Ingredient Treats. Napa, Calif.-based Mello will represent Boo Boo’s
Best in the Western U.S., and in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

“We are so excited to have the experience, reputation, professionalism and caring
of the Mello Sales Group team behind our products,” said Jocelyn Rosenthal, owner of
San Francisco-based Boo Boo’s Best. “We feel they are a terrific match for us and look
forward to seeing how they will help us grow our company into the future.”
The Boosters! line features exotic proteins like goat, kangaroo, rabbit, alligator,
salmon, pork and wild boar, green-lipped mussels from New Zealand and whole wild-
caught anchovies. The novel proteins can be helpful for dogs or cats with allergies or
digestive issues and make for motivating training treats, and the food toppers can entice
bored, stressed or picky eaters, according to company officials.

“Mello Sales Group is extremely excited to represent Boo Boo’s Best,” said Julie Hutchings, vice president of operations and sales manager at Mello Sales Group. “We are always looking for unique and beneficial products that enhance pets’ lives. Boo Boo’s Best is a wonderful addition to our lineup, and we look forward to sharing their treats and toppers with the industry.”