MUSCATINE, Iowa – A subsidiary of the Kent Pet Group, based here, recently bought two Australian-based pet care companies.
Kent announced that its company, FibreCycle, has acquired:
- Our Bird, an Australian manufacturer of high-quality bird seed and cat litter based in Toowoomba, Queensland.
- Lovitts, an Australian manufacturer of high-quality companion animal nutrition, based in Melbourne, Victoria.
The acquisitions allow the major U.S. pet care manufacturer to break into new channels within the strong companion animal market in Australia.
“Kent has deep respect for providing quality pet products customers can trust again, and again,” Steve Gordon, president of KENT Pet Group, said in a news release issued Tuesday, July 5. “With the purchase of (Lovitts and Our Bird), we are expanding on that unwavering commitment to pets and the families who love them.”
Mr. Gordon added that the acquisitions are “a further investment into our core belief that pets make us better people.”
The Lovitts portfolio of products includes cat litter, birdseed, dog and small animal nutrition; as well as treats and supplements for a variety of other companion animals. Our Bird has a long history of supplying major national retailers with birdseed mixes and cat litter, according to information from Kent.
“Our company was founded on a commitment to innovation for the customer,” said Gage Kent, Kent Corporation chairman and CEO, in the release. Lovitts and Our Bird “have a proven record … of providing valued products to consumers. I am thrilled to welcome Lovitts (and Our Bird) to the Kent family of companies as we continue our purpose of helping a growing world do more from field to family.”
Founded in 1927, the Kent family of companies has grown from a small animal feed dealership in Indianola, Iowa, into a multinational corporation serving food, beverage and ingredients, agriculture and pet care markets.
