Burns Pet Nutrition

Our Corporate Finance team has advised Burns Pet Nutrition, on the multi-million-pound acquisition to US private equity firm, Wind Point Partners.

In its last financial year to the end of July 2023, Burns Pet Nutrition, which employs just under 100 people, posted revenues of £23.6 million. As well as manufacturing wet and dog food products, Burns recently introduced a range of products for cats. Burns’ management team are remaining with the business following the deal as they focus on further expansion.

Assisi itself was recently acquired by US private equity firm, Wind Point Partners, with investment to support an acquisition strategy.

Our Corporate Finance team led by Director Tom Coombes and supported by Executive Jade Burgess worked with the business to position it for sale which involved a review of the Burns business plan and financial projections. Prior to FRP’s appointment, the business had received a number of unsolicited approaches. We put in place a formal process to manage these approaches and bring additional interested parties to the table. Tom and Jade managed all aspects of the transaction keeping management’s attention on continuing to run the day to day operations of the business.

Tom Coombes, FRP Corporate Finance Director, said: “Based in the heart of Kidwelly, John Burns has grown Burns Pet Nutrition into a market leader in high quality dry and wet pet food products, with formulations focussed on gut health in order to solve digestive problems. We were proud to act for the shareholders of Burns on this major deal and look forward to seeing how the business and team will continue to grow and develop as part of the Assisi Pet Care Group.”

Mr Burns, Owner of Burns Pet Nutrition said: “After 30 years of owning and growing Burns Pet Nutrition I felt that it was time for me to retire and hand over the reins. The team took time to understand the business and its culture and walked us through the process step by step. They have been an excellent corporate finance partner and I am delighted that in Assisi Pet Care they have found a partner that is a good fit for the Burns brand to grow in a responsible, ethical way. I’d have no hesitation in recommending them or using their services again.”

Founder and chief executive of Assisi Pet Care, Peter Mangion, said: “We are delighted to be adding the highly regarded Burns brand to the Assisi portfolio of brands but are equally pleased to be welcoming the fantastic Burns Pet Nutrition team to our organisation. The Burns brand is a perfect fit for Assisi in that animal health and well-being are central to the brand’s proposition.

“Through this acquisition we will add some excellent people in product development, marketing, sales, finance and operations functions, based in Kidwelly. We look forward to working with our new colleagues as we integrate the Burns brand into the Assisi portfolio and strengthen our offer to our customers across Europe. The acquisition of Burns Pet Nutrition is the first transaction since the recent investment in Assisi by Wind Point Partners and signals our commitment to execute on our growth strategy in the European pet care market.”