Piper invests £5m in Pet Food UK

As part of the deal, Gü Puddings global managing director Mark Escolme will take on the role of chairperson at Pet Food UK.

Under its new ownership structure, the company will look to increase its international sales, which currently account for around 30% of its revenues. It will also invest in its e-commerce platform, marketing activity and recruitment.

The deal marks the final investment from Piper's £107m fifth fund, which had an initial £80m target and held its final close in July 2011. It also comes shortly after the firm announced a £10m investment in UK steakhouse chain Flat Iron.

Piper has a track record of investing in the pet food sector, having invested £6m in wet pet food producer Forthglade in September 2015. According to a statement issued by the GP, the two companies will continue to run independently following the investment in Pet Food UK.

Company
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, near London, Pet Food UK is a producer of dry pet foods, made using natural ingredients. The company's brands include Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU. Its products are stocked by retailers including Pets At Home, Jollyes and Tesco, as well as numerous independent pet food specialists.

Pet Food UK has a headcount of 20 and generates a turnover of more than £10m, according to the aforementioned statement. It currently exports its products to Scandinavia, Ireland, Russia and the Czech Republic.

People
Piper Private Equity – Libby Gibson (partner).
Pet Food UK – Paul Hunter (managing director).

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• Topics
• Expansion
• UK / Ireland
• Consumer
• United Kingdom
• Piper Private Equity