United Petfood extends partnership with Waterland to drive global growth ambitions
Ghent, 27 February 2025 – United Petfood, the European market leader in pet food, has announced an extension of its strategic partnership with investment fund Waterland. This collaboration, which began nearly nine years ago, is entering a new phase to support ambitious growth plans in Europe, the United States, and beyond.
“Over the past decade, we’ve achieved remarkable growth with Waterland by our side. Together, we’ve established United Petfood as a global leader in pet food production,” says Dominiek Dumoulin, founder and chairman of United Petfood. “Now we’re ready to take the next step with new investments and expansions to serve our customers even better around the world.”
Expanding Across Europe and the United States
United Petfood is actively growing its presence in both Europe and the United States. In Europe, the company is prioritizing geographic expansion and diversifying its product portfolio. New production facilities are being developed in countries such as Romania and Poland, while efforts are underway to strengthen its position in key markets like the UK, Denmark, and Portugal. In Poland, a new pet snack factory is being built, while snack production is being expanded in Spain. Additionally, the wet food factory in Poland is being upgraded to meet growing demand. In the United States, expansion is a key focus for United Petfood. The company recently acquired a dry food production facility in Indiana. “The U.S. market offers tremendous growth potential. We aim to bring this production site to full capacity quickly and are exploring further expansion opportunities, including potential new factories and acquisitions,” Dumoulin adds.
Commitment to Sustainable Growth and Product Diversification
United Petfood is committed to offering a comprehensive and diverse range of products to customers worldwide. “While dry food remains our largest segment, we’re making significant investments in wet food and snacks to meet the growing demand for innovative, premium pet food,” explains Dries Eeckhout, CEO of United Petfood. Recent investments have significantly increased production capacity for wet food and snacks, allowing the company to provide a broader and more complete range of products to its customers. Sustainability is a core pillar of United Petfood’s growth strategy. “Our aim is not just to grow but to do so responsibly and sustainably. By strategically investing in our facilities, teams, and processes, we’re ensuring that our growth is built to last,” Eeckhout says. “The dedication, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees have been instrumental in driving our growth and international expansion over the years.”
Renewed Partnership and Financial Structure
To enable these ambitious growth plans, United Petfood and Waterland have renewed their partnership. Waterland recently secured a new fund from institutional investors, which has resulted in an updated capital structure and an extended investment horizon, while maintaining the same collaborative framework. The focus remains on strengthening the company’s position in existing markets and seizing new opportunities worldwide.
Looking to the Future
With 25 factories across Europe, the United States, and Turkey, exports to more than 100 countries, and revenues exceeding €1.3 billion in 2024, United Petfood’s growth shows no signs of slowing down. Beyond its expansions in Europe and the U.S., the company is also eyeing opportunities in markets like Asia. “Our mission is to stay close to our customers and offer an innovative, wide-ranging product portfolio. Together with Waterland, we’re determined to realize this vision and further solidify United Petfood’s position as a global leader in pet food,” Dumoulin concludes.
About United Petfood
United Petfood is a leading producer of pet food, specializing in dry and wet food, biscuits, and snacks for dogs and cats. The company primarily manufactures private label products and collaborates closely with customers worldwide. With over 2,600 employees and a strong focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, United Petfood continues to meet the demands of the rapidly growing pet care market. For more information, please visit: www.unitedpetfood.com
Press Contact:
Laurence Van Doosselaere – vandoosselaere@waterland.be | +32 473 88 05 21