New takeover in Great Britain

Established in 1983, BPC is one of UK’s leading wet pet food manufacturers, supplying own-label wet dog and cat food. The company also produces private label pet food for a range of customers, including multiples and pet specialty retailers, and has an established position in Poland. BPC operates a well-invested 385 000 sq ft (approx. 36 000 m²) manufacturing and distribution facility in Crick, Northamptonshire.

Headquartered in Thirsk (North Yorkshire), IPN is best known for its high quality natural dog food and pet treats under the Harringtons and Wagg brands. With a strong commitment to natural, high quality ingredients, IPN is dedicated to providing affordable and nutritious pet food. The company has been acquired by international investment firm Cap Vest in 2020.

IPN has also announced the appointment of Arthur van Benthem as CEO of the enlarged group, which will have a combined gross turnover of approximately 350 mio GBP, comprising predominantly branded products. With a background in sales and marketing, van Benthem has held senior management positions in various markets across EMEA, the US and Asia Pacific with companies such as Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, Royal Friesland Campina, Imperial Brands and most recently Dunlop.

Van Benthem said: “The Butcher’s brand portfolio and business is highly complementary to IPN and in line with our vision and strategy to grow the business and create a portfolio of natural, wet and dry pet food brands with superior nutrition that are affordable and accessible to all pet owners. Strategically, it also provides us with an established platform and opportunity to expand our presence in the growing European pet food market.”  

Kate Briant, Senior Partner at Cap Vest, commented: “Butcher’s is a great addition to the IPN platform, creating a business with greater scale and presence across a range of categories, channels and customer segments. It also creates a solid platform for further organic and acquisition-led growth, with a particular focus on Europe, and we are delighted that a CEO of Arthur van Benthem’s calibre is ready to lead this plan with his extensive brand, financial, strategic and leadership experience.”  

Tim Watsham, CEO of Butcher’s Pet Care, said: “Joining forces with IPN and Cap Vest is a fantastic opportunity for Butcher’s. Together we share a passion for providing the best pet nutrition and a commitment to excellence. We look forward to utilising the resources and expertise of IPN and Cap Vest to pursue our growth ambitions and continue to deliver high quality products to our customers.”