Food Strategy Associates are pleased to have provided operational vendor assist to Forthglade on its successful acquisition by Assisi Pet Care, backed by Wind Point Partners. Our work supported the management team in telling their own operational story to prospective bidders.
Forthglade is one of the UK’s leading premium natural pet food brands. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Okehampton, Devon, the business specialises in high-quality, minimally processed wet dog food, produced at its state-of-the-art factory on the edge of Dartmoor. Under CEO David Cox, Forthglade has built a highly diversified omnichannel distribution model spanning major grocery retailers, independent specialist pet stores and a fast-growing online business across direct-to-consumer and third-party channels.
Assisi Pet Care is a leading UK-based producer of premium natural pet food and treats. Its brand portfolio includes Burns, Hollings, HiLife, Maced, Pet Munchies, Yakers and NAW, with manufacturing facilities in the UK and Poland. The acquisition, which sees European private equity firm IK Partners exit after backing the business since 2020, deepens Assisi’s presence in premium natural dog food and continues the group’s expansion across Europe.
Working closely with Forthglade’s Operations Director and CEO, including time on site in Devon, we brought independent challenge and deep food manufacturing experience to the operational story, covering production, capacity, investment and the plans for future growth, and benchmarking the business against its industry peers. The aim was a clear, credible picture of how the operation runs today and the growth it can support under a new owner. We continued to support management through buyer discussions as the sale progressed.
Mike Jolley, Operations Director at Forthglade, said
“Food Strategy Associates tailored their approach to exactly what we needed: an operational vendor assist rather than a full due diligence and added real value. Their pragmatic style and genuine understanding of food manufacturing made our lives easy; we could spend our time on the specifics of our business rather than explaining the fundamentals. And because they understood our equity story and what bidders would look for, the work stayed focused on what mattered. A thoroughly professional team we would gladly work with again.”
Congratulations to David, Mike and the whole Forthglade team, and to Assisi Pet Care and Wind Point Partners on an exciting milestone!
This transaction builds upon Food Strategy Associates status as the leading provider of due diligence on European food and beverage transactions.
Notes to Editors
Food Strategy Associates is a leading European strategy consultancy focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry. Founded in 2013 by two former food industry executives, we combine the first-hand knowledge of highly experienced industry executives with strategy consultants, to deliver a unique and unrivalled proposition to our clients.
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For further information please contact Robert Lawson on robert@foodstrategy.co.uk