Pets Food

Pets Food

Next Level Super Premium Pet Food—A Rising Star in the Pet Industry

PITTSBURG, Texas, March 19, 2024 (Newswire.com) –
Antoine Albin and Scott Glover, the industry veteran co-founders behind rising star Next Level pet food, are redefining pet nutrition again with their unique blend of expertise, hands-on leadership, and relentless commitment to quality and transparency.

After decades of co-leading another pet food brand to nationwide success, the duo’s decision to found Next Level was fueled by a belief that they still had opportunities to improve pet nutrition. Their new brand would leverage their comprehensive understanding of nutrition science and efficient manufacturing processes.

“Antoine and I have put our lives’ work into understanding what pets need to thrive and what goes into making a high-quality, consistent product,” says Glover. “With Next Level, we’ve created a brand that puts everything we’ve learned about creating high-quality pet nutrition in each formula and every bag.”

Even as the brand grows, Glover and Albin aren’t shying away from the nitty-gritty of the business. The two are involved in every facet of their operations, from designing the newly built plant and overseeing manufacturing to engaging with customers on social media. This attention to detail ensures the company’s uncompromising commitment to quality is realized in every scientifically formulated product.

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16/10/2025

Pets Food

Muenster Milling Boosts Its Freeze-Dried Pet Food Footprint in North Texas » Dallas Innovates

Made in Texas: Muenster Pet Foods makes premium dry and freeze-dried dog and cat food, plus meal toppers, supplements, and treats. [Muenster Milling video screenshot]

Set to meet a growing demand for freeze-dried pet food, Muenster Milling Company has completed construction on a state-of-the-art freeze-drying facility in Denton.

The 120,000-square-foot facility equipped with over 20 freeze dryers and automated equipment “has all the capabilities under one roof that brands and retailers need to bring their innovation pipelines to life,” according to Jim Holdrieth, CEO of Muenster Milling.

‘One of the fastest-growing categories within pet food’

Jim Holdrieth

Freeze-dried pet food has become increasingly popular among pet owners seeking high-quality, nutritious options for their furry companions, the CEO said. “Freeze dried is a versatile product format that can be a meal, functional treat, inclusion, or topper, and it remains one of the fastest-growing categories within pet food, experiencing double-digit volume growth and $1 billion of sales in 2023, ” he said in a statement.

Holdrieth, who was named CEO of the 92-year-old company in late 2023, noted that brands are “increasingly looking to enter or grow within the category, and they require sophisticated manufacturing partners to help them do so.” Muenster

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15/10/2025

Pets Food

6 ways urbanization influences global pet food industry

In 2007, more than half of Earth’s human population lived in urban areas for the first time. Urbanization continues, with more than a billion more people now living in cities and suburbs than in rural areas, according to United Nations Population Division figures presented by Our World in Data. People brought their desire for pets with them as they moved to cities, but changed some of their companion animal ownership preferences. For example, pet owners worldwide have trended towards smaller dogs and cats that work better with smaller living spaces in urban environments. This in turn influences the pet foods and treats that owners buy. In October 2022, market analysis group TGM Research surveyed 15,000 of Earth’s 8.1 billion people in 40 nations about pet ownership. Although regional differences emerged, six trends emerged as effects of human urbanization on pet keeping.

Urbanization and pet ownership

Social Trends and Pet Humanization

“In urban areas, trends like pet humanization can take hold more rapidly,” Thuyen Vu, chief marketing officer, told Petfood Industry in an email. “According to our report, a significant 59% of consumers globally now recognize their pets as part of the family, while 22% consider them as friends, and 16%

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14/10/2025

Pets Food

3 global pet food brands invest in facility expansions

French producer Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food, a direct-to-consumer business, is planning to increase its production capabilities amid rising sales, according to a senior company representative.

Matthieu Wincker, president and founder of Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food, told Petfoodindustry.com the business continues to increase the sales of its brand, Ultra Premium Direct, every year.

This year, the company will launch a project to add 750 square meters (8,073 square feet) to its office space, but also expand the floor space of its factory in Estillac, in the country’s southwest, said Wincker.

“On the plant side, a fourth expansion project will begin in 2024, bringing the total surface area to 13,000 square meters,” he said. “Our current production lines enable us to absorb a volume that could generate sales of €150 million a year.” This translates into about US$163.5 million.

In addition, Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food is aiming to build a new extrusion plant in 2026. Other plans include boosting the company’s online sales, said Wincker.

“We are continuing to develop our e-commerce business,” he said, adding the company is also investing in strengthening its brick-and-mortar retail presence.

“We are concentrating on our physical retail store development in France and

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13/10/2025

Pets Food

Refocused pet food portfolio paving the way for Smucker’s growth

ORRVILLE, OHIO — The JM Smucker Company shared its financial results for the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal year ended Jan. 31, detailing a significant drop in sales for its pet food division. However, the company’s Meow Mix and Milk-Bone brands both witnessed double-digit growth over the quarter, demonstrating Smucker’s success toward reshaping its pet food portfolio.

For its US Retail Pet Foods segment, Q3 2024 net sales significantly dropped 39% to $465.20 million. Comparable net sales, which excludes Smucker’s divestiture of several pet foods brands, increased $79.10 million (20%). The company attributed this to an increase in volume/mix driven by Meow Mix, co-manufacturing sales related to the divestiture, and growth in Milk-Bone.

Segment profit increased by $500,000, maintaining relatively flat at $109.50 million due to higher net price realization, favorable volume/mix, lower costs from the divested brands, and increased distribution costs.

“Our pet segment results this quarter continue to highlight the benefits of focusing on brands and categories where we have a leading market share position and divesting brands where we did not,” said Mark Smucker, chair of the board, president and chief executive officer. “Profit margin improved significantly versus the previous year, driven by product mix, and

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10/10/2025

Pets Food

Manassas Pet Food Pantry needs donations

Greetings, Prince William – Animal lovers, the Pet Food Pantry at City of Manassas Animal Shelter needs donations of pet food to help those who temporarily need assistance in feeding their pets. Donations of dry and canned pet food plus treats for dogs and cats, pet food for small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) and cat litter are welcome! Items can be brought to the animal shelter at 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas 20110. If your kids are looking for a Spring Break service project, they could hold a pet food drive! Please call 703.257.2420 for more information and shelter hours.

Prince William County Police Department is holding a Fill the Cruiser event for the County’s Animal Services Center March 28, 12 pm – 2 pm Come load up the police vehicle with your donations of pet food, pet toys, kitty litter and more to feed those furbabies! Please visit https://bit.ly/3TkJF9W for a list of requested items. Please email [email protected] or call 703.792.6465 for more information.
The wonderful staff at Boxes of Basics reports they have a critical shortage of boys’ pants in sizes 6 & 12, girls’ tops in sizes 14 & 16,

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12/07/2025

Pets Food

Portland Pet Food Company Has New Distribution in Hong Kong |

Portland Pet Food Company, a manufacturer specializing in human-grade dog and cat food meals and treats, has extended its international distribution network through a partnership with Caesars Diffusion Limited.

Caesars Diffusion Limited is a leading Hong Kong-based pet care company that distributes and sells food, treats, supplements, and toys for dogs and cats. Katie McCarron, founder of Portland Pet Food Company in Portland, Ore., said she is enthusiastic about partnering with Caesars Diffusion and that the brands have a shared dedication to delivering top-notch products within the pet specialty channel, company officials reported.

“We are excited to broaden our international footprint with Caesars Diffusion and bring premium pet products to consumers who are seeking USA-made and -sourced products,” McCarron said.

Portland Pet Food Company is experiencing remarkable growth on both the international and domestic fronts, fueled by its steadfast commitment to pet nutrition and holistic well-being, officials said. Over the past six months, the company has significantly expanded its retail presence, now reaching more than 5,200 stores globally. Portland Pet Food Company has also been boosted by its ranking among the top-five growth brands in the pet food industry channel for 2023, according to SPINS, with its line of meals

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06/07/2025

Pets Food

Woof accelerates distribution through Pet Food Experts

PAWTUCKET, RI. — Pet Food Experts (PFX) announced March 13 it has partnered with Woof, a functional wellness brand for dogs, to help the brand expand its presence in independent pet retail stores across the United States.

Woof products include its flagship enrichment toy, The Pupsicle, as well as a line of jerky treats and bone broth in a powder format.

“We are excited to partner with Pet Food Experts to bring our innovative, wellness-infused play products to independent pet retailers nationwide,” said Daniel Haarburger, chief executive officer and founder at Woof. “Our mission at Woof is to redefine pet care by providing solutions that nourish every aspect of a dog’s mind and body, and we are proud to partner with PFX, a distributor that shares our commitment to quality, sustainability and supporting independent businesses.”

PFX will now offer Woof products to more than 6,000 independent pet retailers nationwide.

“We are thrilled to introduce Woof as the newest addition to the impressive lineup of vendor partners at PFX,” said Sean Kent, vice president of vendor development at PFX. “With Woof’s innovative, award-winning, enriching line of Pupsicles, Refill Pops and DIY Treat Trays, we are excited to bring a fresh perspective

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03/07/2025

Pets Food

Danish pet food giant laps up local producer Staughton Group

As part of a reorganization of its business, The Lauridsen Group merged BHJ’s proteins and stock ingredient division with another of its portfolio company’s, Proliant, to create a new brand called Essentia Protein Solutions. That left BHJ focuses on raw pet foods.

Great Danes

Of some note, Staughton was part-owned by AGR Partners, which manages around $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) in investments focused on the agribusiness sector. Among its investments is Ridley.

The sale of Staughton to BHJ closed on Friday, sources said. It’s the latest in a flurry of activity in the sector, with Sweden’s EQT Partners splashing out $1.4 billion for VetPartners.

Affinity Equity Partners, Goldman Sachs’ private equity division, and Permira Private Equity have also expressed interest in VetPartners, which operates more than 260 clinics in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Also on the auction block was Greencross, a pet food and veterinary business, which was to be sold to pharmaceutical and animal goods distributor EBOS for $3.75 billion in November. At the last minute, however, EBOS pulled out of the transaction.

Staughton is a much smaller business than both VetPartners and Greencross, but it has grown sales strongly.

Its most recent accounts lodged with the corporate

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29/06/2025

Pets Food

Pet food company opens new facility in Denton

A pet food manufacturer that gained internet fame in 2020 when a co-owner ate its products for 30 straight days has opened a new facility in Denton.

Muenster Milling Co. said the new facility integrates its raw meat processing, freeze-drying and retail packaging. It also gives the company room to expand at the 120,000-square-foot space at 2269 N. Masch Branch Rd.

A shot of some of the equipment inside the new facility complex(Muenster Milling Company)

Muenster Milling was acquired by Dallas-based private equity firm Kainos Capital in 2021, a move that marked the first ownership outside its founding family, the Felderhoffs. Bringing on Kainos gave the family, now in its fourth generation of involvement with the company, the flexibility to expand operations and pay off debt.

In 2020, Mitch Felderhoff drew some attention when he committed to eating nothing but the company’s dog food for 30 days, documenting the experience on social media as a way to raise awareness for what owners feed their pets.

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13/09/2024