PE-backed Hyper Pet merges with R2P Pet

Hyper Pet LLC, which is backed by Guardian Capital Partners, has merged with R2P Pet, a provider of products for dogs and cats. No financial terms were disclosed.

PRESS RELEASE

Wichita, Kansas (January 3, 2018)- For over 35 years, Hyper Pet LLC has been an award-winning pet product design powerhouse, best known for innovating pet toys and interactive accessories that strengthen bonds and excite both pets and their owners alike. Their broad and deep range of dog toy experience, high quality product offerings, and strong reputation for innovation and customer service has made them one of the fastest growing pet product brands in the industry today.

Since Tim Blurton was named CEO of Hyper Pet in September 2016, the company has acquired several leading pet product brands including Aussie Naturals®, Outback Jack® and Wild Eats™. Last summer, the company celebrated the grand opening of their brand new, 100,000-square-foot warehousing campus and corporate headquarters expansion in Wichita, Kansas. And, just a few weeks ago, Hyper Pet announced a pending merger with OurPet’s Company, a leading proprietary pet supply company.

Continuing this positive momentum, today Hyper Pet announced a new merger has been finalized with R2P Pet.
R2P Pet is committed to making durable, high quality, and affordable products for dogs and cats. With leading brands such as Ultra Paws, Mad Cat, Mega Mutt, The Zany Bunch, Mega Chewz, ChewShoes, Stuft and more, R2P Pet offers a broad assortment of toys, beds, apparel, leashes, collars and accessories that enhance the lifestyles of pets and their families. Their products are distributed in over 30 countries worldwide with corporate offices in the US, Canada and Hong Kong and have extremely strong development, design and sourcing capabilities. The leadership of both companies will remain with the combined entity in this merger, providing an even stronger focus on growth opportunities and accelerating innovation with the goal of providing the very best service to pet owners and retail partners.

“Once again, we have another very exciting acquisition that will lead to tremendous new opportunities and growth here at Hyper Pet,” Blurton said. “We were very impressed by R2P Pet’s brands and quality product lines, as well as their focus on design and innovation. Now with R2P Pet’s team coming together with Hyper Pet, we have created a highly capable, agile and robust business ready to bring significant impacts and positive changes within the pet industry.”

Nick Yerton, CEO of R2P Pet who will head up the NPD and growth side of the new business as President and CRO added, “We have always admired Hyper Pet. They are an innovative company that has a well-earned reputation for great products and excellent customer service. In looking to grow, our primary goal was to find a company with complementary strengths and a talented team. This merger with Hyper Pet allows us to achieve that goal.”

The combination of these companies will allow for significantly enhanced product development, operations, sales, and customer service. With an industry leading team, the combined company now will be an even better supplier to their retail partners and deliver a superior experience to the pet parent.

Peter Haabestad, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Guardian Capital Partner the private equity sponsor leading the ownership group of Hyper Pet added, “We have admired these businesses for some time and are now delighted to bring these innovative companies and leading brands under the Hyper Pet umbrella.”