PE-Backed Petmate Acquires JW Pet, Canine Hardware.

Petmate, a portfolio company of Chicago-based Wind Point Partners, has acquired JW Pet Company and Canine Hardware. Terms were not released. Cascadia Capital served as financial advisor to Canine Hardware on the transaction. Petmate manufactures products including carriers, shelters, collars & leashes, feeding & watering systems, toys and pet beds.

PRESS RELEASE
Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, today announced that portfolio company Petmate acquired JW Pet Company and Canine Hardware.

Petmate manufactures and markets pet products including carriers, shelters, collars & leashes, feeding & watering systems, toys and pet beds under brands such as Petmate, Aspen Pet, Doskocil, Booda, Dogzilla, Fat Cat and LeBistro. Wind Point acquired Petmate in 2011 in partnership with CEO Joe Messner. Wind Point previously partnered with Joe in 1999 to acquire Bushnell Performance Optics, which it successfully divested in 2007.

“JW Pet Company and Canine Hardware bring some exciting names to our toys and accessories category, such as JW Hol-ee® Roller Toys and ChuckIt® balls and launchers,” said Messner. “We are excited to bring these brands into our portfolio and continue expanding their lines of innovative, high-quality toys.”

Paul Peterson, a principal at Wind Point, commented, “The JW Pet Company and Canine Hardware acquisitions are an excellent fit for our strategy to grow Petmate organically and through acquisitions. The Petmate value creation plan is focused on growing through new product development and driving innovation; the toy category provides an attractive opportunity to innovate and build strong consumer brands. Joe has an excellent track record of driving growth in acquired businesses, and we are excited about the potential for these acquisitions.”

JW Pet Company and Canine Hardware represent Petmate’s fourth and fifth acquisitions. Petmate previously acquired Muchkin Inc’s Fat Cat and Bamboo product lines, Kennel-Aire and WetNoz Inc.

Cascadia Capital served as financial advisor to Canine Hardware on the transaction.

About Wind Point Partners

Wind Point Partners is a private equity investment firm that manages commitments of approximately $2.5 billion. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber CEOs to acquire middle market businesses where we can establish a clear path to value creation. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.

About Petmate

Petmate is the trusted authority in smart solutions for devoted pet owners and discerning retailers, offering complete lines of kennels, dog houses, bedding, litter maintenance, feeding and watering solutions, toys, collars and leads, grooming and accessories under the Petmate, Aspen Pet, and Doskocil brands. Committed to the wellbeing of pets and the world they live in, Petmate’s mission is to create a healthier life for pets and pet owners in all of its new products, which can be found at pet supply stores nationwide. Call 1-877-PETMATE or visit www.petmate.com for more information.