BrightPet Nutrition Acquires Raw Pet Food Processing Company

BrightPet Nutrition, manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured pet foods, has acquired Raw Advantage Processing, a family-owned frozen raw pet food manufacturer based in Salem, OR.

BrightPet, Lisbon, OH, said it has increased its capacity to provide freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food with the move. On top of extended manufacturing capability, the company has gained Raw Advantage’s West Coast base of operations, increasing the company’s distribution both domestically and internationally. The combination is expected to strengthen Raw Advantage's offerings to its existing customer base through access to Midwest and East Coast production capabilities in kibble, baked treats, and freeze-dried food and treats, as well as provide additional capital resources to continue to invest in capacity to help meet customers long-term strategic growth objectives.

"We are thrilled to welcome Raw Advantage to the BrightPet family," said Dave Kowal, CEO of BrightPet. "Ryan Minch has proven himself to be a skilled operator at the highest level, and Raw Advantage's consistent ability to deliver premium products that meet the exacting standards for food safety and quality have earned them a loyal customer base and positioned the company as a key player in the industry. Together, we expect to continue to deliver premium products that meet our customers' high standards, enhance the well-being of pets, and bring joy to their owners."

By integrating Raw Advantage's expertise, BrightPet expands its product offerings and capacity, catering to the growing demand for premium freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food and treats. The acquisition also strengthens BrightPet's position as a trusted and innovative provider of pet nutrition products.

"As a family-owned business, it was essential for us to find a partner that valued our legacy," said Ryan Minch, founder and CEO at Raw Advantage. "Joining forces with BrightPet gives us the assurance that Raw Advantage will continue to thrive and uphold our commitment to excellence, and we remain laser focused on providing our valued customers with the same high levels of service and product quality that they have come to expect from us. We are excited about the growth opportunities this collaboration brings and the positive impact we believe we can make together in the freeze-dried and frozen raw categories."

This is the third acquisition for BrightPet. In October 2022, the pet food processor acquired Bravo! Pet Foods; in January 2021, it acquired MiracleCorp; and in 2018 it purchased Phoebe Products. 

 Alvarez & Marsal Capital Partners (A&M), a middle-market private equity investment fund that is part of the A&M Capital platform, acquired a majority interest in BrightPet in October 2020.