Central Garden & Pet agreed on 27 July to acquire about 80% of TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf, a pet supplies and pet snacks company based in Tarp in northern Germany, for up to €400m.
Why Central Garden & Pet Company is buying TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG
Central said the deal fits its Central to Home strategy and is a major step in expanding in Europe, where it currently makes about 10% of its net sales outside the US. It sees TRIXIE as a platform to consolidate the fragmented European pet specialty market, which it puts at about €10bn of annual sales.
“The addition of TRIXIE strengthens Central's position across key European pet supplies markets”
Deal terms and financing
Central will pay about €340m in cash at closing and up to €60m in earn-out payments based on TRIXIE's 2026 performance, each subject to adjustments. The continuing shareholders will retain about 20%; after at least three years they can require Central to buy their shares, and Central then gains a matching call right.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Closing is subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions and is expected in the first half of Central's fiscal year ending 25 September 2027.
Market context
TRIXIE was founded in 1974, employs close to 600 people and offers more than 6,000 products to over 30,000 pet retailers internationally, with about 90% of sales from its own brands. Dirk Jessen, Burkhard Friedrichsen and Danny Bollerey will continue to lead the business.
