Worldwise acquires Quaker Pet Group

Two heavyweights among American manufacturers of pet accessories are to commence operations as one company with immediate effect following the acquisition by Worldwise of its competitor Quaker Pet Group. The Quaker Pet Group was established in 2010 in Denver, Colorado, and markets a portfolio of leading brands in the dog toy and pet carrier segment such as Sherpa, goDog and Hear Doggy. 
Based in San Rafael in California, Worldwise is a portfolio company of Mistral Equity Partners, a consumer-focused private equity firm from New York. Worldwise was set up by Aaron Lamstein, Phil Genet and Debra Lynn Dadd in 1990. According to the company its primary aim is to develop and manufacture environmentally responsible products that are attractive, affordable and accessible to everyone. Pet bedding, cat scratchers, cat toys and other accessories under the Petlinks, SmartyKat, TrustyPup and Kathy Ireland Loved Ones brands form part of Worldwise's portfolio. "Our pet brands, featuring innovative products made principally from recycled, reclaimed, renewable and certified organic resources, are found at many of the nation's leading retailers," say the founders. 

As the reason for the takeover, both companies stress that in this way they acquire more brands in the fragmented pet products space. "Together, the combined company will reach across multiple product segments and distribution channels and will continue to grow aggressively both domestically and internationally," read the statement in a company press release. Following the takeover, the two companies will operate on the Worldwise platform and will continue to build on the successful brands each has built in the marketplace, according to Worldwise and Quaker Pet Group. David Blatte and Neil Werde, the founders of Quaker Pet Group, will continue to be involved in the business. Werde and the original Quaker Pet Group team of design and development professionals will remain focused on creating new pet products, while Blatte will join the Worldwise board of directors and focus on acquisitions to continue Worldwise's aggressive growth strategy. Kevin Fick, CEO of Worldwise, had no doubts that the move to acquire Quaker was the right one. In a concluding…