Belgium-Based United Petfood Buys Stake in Germany’s SmartPetPro

United Petfood, international petfood manufacturer, recently announced that it has acquired a 50% stake in SmartPetPro, a fast-growing German producer of premium wet petfood.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership that combines the strengths of two entrepreneurial companies with a shared ambition: helping customers grow through innovation, quality and expertise.

According to United Petfood, this partnership further strengthens its position in one of Europe’s most important petfood markets while expanding its premium wet food offering. At the same time, SmartPetPro gains access to additional expertise, international resources and a broader customer network, enabling the company to accelerate its ambitions while preserving its entrepreneurial identity.

“This partnership is a natural fit. SmartPetPro has built an impressive business with a strong entrepreneurial culture, deep expertise in premium wet petfood and an excellent reputation in the German market,” said Dominiek Dumoulin, Founder United Petfood Group.

As part of the agreement, Lars Oehlmann will continue to lead SmartPetPro as Chief Executive Officer, ensuring continuity while driving the company’s next phase of growth. Co-founders Stefan Pfannmöller and Erich Herrmann will remain closely involved and continue to support the long-term development of the business. The partnership with United Petfood also lays the foundation for the continued expansion of SmartPetPro’s production site in Dessau-Roßlau.

“This transaction allows us to combine local entrepreneurship with international scale to create even more value for our customers and support their future growth. We are excited to welcome SmartPetPro into the United Petfood family and look forward to growing togeterm,” noted Dries Eeckhout, CEO United Petfood Group.

“From day one, SmartPetPro has focused on delivering premium quality, flexibility and close partnerships with our customers. Joining forces with United Petfood gives us the opportunity to accelerate our growth while staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our company. Together, we are creating a strong platform for the future of premium petfood in Germany.”, Lars Oehlmann, CEO SmartPetPro.

Based in Ghent, Belgium, United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry and wet pet food, as well as treats for cats and dogs. The company has manufacturing sites across Europe, including locations in the UK, France and Poland. It exports to more than 110 countries and has a workforce of over 3,500.

(Photo courtesy United Petfood)