Higgins Premium Pet Foods, a bird and small animal food manufacturer based in Miami, FL, has been acquired by Belgium-based pet food company Versele-Laga.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Higgins “provides a key cornerstone for Versele-Laga in the United States, the largest pet food market in the world as well as the gateway to the Caribbean and South American markets,” according to a press release, which also explains: “The synergies between Versele-Laga and Higgins are expected to enhance each company’s capabilities, efficiencies and market reach.”
“Versele-Laga strives to be the preferred brand in pet nutrition by sharing common values with trusted pet parents,” said Gwijde Versele, chief financial officer of Versele-Laga. “We are excited to welcome Higgins’ management team and employees and have them join our family-owned company with a combined 132 years of experience in animal nutrition between us. We look forward to developing new, innovative products and to creating the right support tools and services by being the premium brands pet parents trust for their pets.”
Frederic Boone, CEO of Versele-Laga, said, “Higgins will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary of Versele-Laga, focusing on its strengths as a specialist in high-quality companion bird and small animal foods while having access to Versele-Laga’s infrastructure. It will support Versele-Laga understanding the needs of different American end consumer market segments and the required brand identities. Higgins senior management will remain, with Dean Reyes continuing as director of sales and marketing and Andy Perea as general manager, while working together with David Mortier, our Versele-Laga U.S. business developer.”