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United Petfood acquires 50% of SmartPetPro to strengthen its premium petfood market position in Germany. Learn about the strategic partnership and growth plans.
United Petfood, headquartered in Ghent, Belgium and backed by Waterland Private Equity, has acquired a 50% equity stake in SmartPetPro, a fast-growing producer of premium wet petfood based in Dessau-Roßlau, Germany. The transaction, announced on July 14, 2026, establishes a strategic partnership designed to combine the entrepreneurial strengths and expertise of both companies to accelerate growth in the premium petfood market.
The deal does not disclose financial terms but involves a significant minority stake, allowing SmartPetPro to maintain its entrepreneurial identity while benefiting from United Petfood’s international resources and broader customer network. Lars Oehlmann will continue as CEO of SmartPetPro, ensuring leadership continuity, with co-founders Stefan Pfannmöller and Erich Herrmann remaining actively involved in the company’s development.
United Petfood is an established international manufacturer specializing in petfood production, with a strong footprint across Europe. SmartPetPro is recognized for its premium wet petfood products and has built a solid reputation in the German market through quality, flexibility, and close customer partnerships.
Dominiek Dumoulin, Founder of United Petfood Group, highlights the strategic fit: “SmartPetPro has built an impressive business with a strong entrepreneurial culture, deep expertise in premium wet petfood and an excellent reputation in the German market.” This partnership enables United Petfood to expand its premium wet food offering and strengthen its position in one of Europe’s most important petfood markets.
Dries Eeckhout, CEO of United Petfood Group, adds, “This transaction allows us to combine local entrepreneurship with international scale to create even more value for our customers and support their future growth.” The partnership also supports the planned expansion of SmartPetPro’s production site in Dessau-Roßlau, signaling investment in capacity to meet growing demand.
From SmartPetPro’s perspective, CEO Lars Oehlmann states, “Joining forces with United Petfood gives us the opportunity to accelerate our growth while staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our company. Together, we are creating a strong platform for the future of premium petfood in Germany.”
The deal reflects broader industry trends, including rising consumer demand for premium and sustainable petfood products in Europe. By combining United Petfood’s scale and distribution capabilities with SmartPetPro’s specialized product portfolio and market knowledge, the partnership aims to capture growth opportunities and improve operational efficiencies.
Potential synergies include cross-selling premium products through United Petfood’s established channels, shared procurement to reduce costs, and integrated research and development to innovate new formulations. However, the joint ownership structure may require careful coordination to align corporate cultures and decision-making processes.
Looking ahead, the companies plan to integrate supply chains and expand production capacity while preserving SmartPetPro’s entrepreneurial identity. Regulatory approvals are not expected to pose significant hurdles given the nature of the transaction.
This partnership positions United Petfood to compete more effectively in Germany’s premium petfood segment, where consolidation and innovation are accelerating. It also complements United Petfood’s recent expansions, including new facilities in Canada and Turkey, underscoring its commitment to international growth.
