Rainier Partners Invests in Pet Food Express

Pet Food Experts Acquires United Pacific Pet

April 27, 2021

Logistics & Distribution

Pet Food Experts (PFX) has signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of United Pacific Pet (UPP), a California-based regional distributor of pet food and supplies. The acquisition expands PFX's footprint in the Western U.S., adding UPP's ~115 employees, a 154,000 sq ft warehouse and service to ~1,500 independent pet retailers across California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.

Dot Family Holdings Invests in Pet Food Experts

March 7, 2022

Logistics & Distribution

Dot Family Holdings (DFH), the investment office of the Tracy Family, has made a strategic growth equity investment in Pet Food Experts (PFX), a Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based distributor of pet food and supplies. The capital will support PFX’s growth initiatives — including investments in people, technology, value-add capabilities — and enable pursuit of add-on acquisitions.

Rainier Partners Invests in Wilmar Corporation

January 6, 2022

Industrial Services

Rainier Partners, a Seattle-based private equity firm, has made a minority growth investment in Wilmar Corporation, a Kent, Washington-based supplier, distributor, and category manager of specialty tools and equipment for the automotive aftermarket and other end markets. The Cantalini family will retain a significant ownership stake while Rainier provides capital and resources to support product expansion, geographic growth, and strategic acquisitions.

Rainier Partners Acquires Calpine Containers, Inc.

April 13, 2021

Logistics & Distribution

Seattle-based private equity firm Rainier Partners has acquired a majority interest in Calpine Containers, Inc., a Clovis, California-based packaging distributor serving more than 500 fresh produce growers and marketers across the U.S. West Coast. Calpine's management and employees retained an ownership stake and will continue to run the company as Rainier provides capital and distribution expertise to accelerate growth across Calpine's 11-location footprint.

Ara Partners Acquires Petainer

June 28, 2022

Packaging

Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonisation, has acquired Petainer Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable PET beverage packaging. The transaction was completed in partnership with Petainer management and affiliates of Next Wave Partners LLP; Ara said the investment will support Petainer's expansion and continued development of refPET, rPET and circular packaging solutions.

CVC Acquires Majority Stake in Partner in Pet Food from Cinven

June 28, 2024

Food & Beverage

CVC Capital Partners (CVC) has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Partner in Pet Food (PPF), a pan‑European pet food manufacturer, with existing investor Cinven retaining a minority stake and continuing as a partner. PPF operates 12 production facilities across Europe, produced ~700k tonnes and generated approximately €800 million in 2023; the transaction is expected to close in 2024 subject to regulatory approvals.