Private equity firm PAI Partners (PAI) is to acquire Alphia, one of the largest pet food co-manufacturers in North America, from JH Whitney Capital Partners. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Headquartered in Denver, Alphia manufactures more than one billion pounds of dry pet food and treats annually on behalf of leading pet food brands and retailers. Alphia also provides milling, R&D, innovation, warehousing, transportation, and distribution services. The company has six manufacturing facilities across the US and is the parent company of LANI, an ingredient milling solutions company, and Veracity, a warehousing and logistics provider.
JH Whitney acquired Alphia’s predecessor, CJ Foods in 2014. Alphia was formed through the merger of American Nutrition, Inc and CJ Foods in 2020 to create a national pet food manufacturing platform.
PAI already has experience in the pet food and contract manufacturing sector through representative investments in Royal Canin, Provimi, Diana Pet Food and Refresco. With the support of PAI, Alphia will seek to accelerate further North American growth, both organically and through acquisitions.
Completion is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.
Goldman Sachs & Co acted as financial adviser to Alphia. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to JH Whitney and Alphia, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to PAI.
