Pure Treats acquiring Bar W Foods, Eighteen Below pet foods

Pure Treats, a maker of dog and cat treats, food and toppers, has agreed to acquire Bar W Foods and Eighteen Below and their human-grade meat processing and freeze-drying facility in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The acquisition may benefit PureBites and its customers. By integrating 18 Below’s expertise, PureBites may expand its product line and capacity, meeting the growing demand of pet owners looking for RAW freeze-dried pet treats, food and toppers.

“18 Below operates a leading human-grade kitchen that has been making raw freeze-dried treats, food and toppers for pets for the past 11 years,” Marc Cathcart, president of PureBites, said in a press release. “They are led by Paul Wehba and his passionate team, who are obsessed with delivering the best quality meat and fish products to people and pets throughout North America.”

18 Below is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and has a USDA-inspected kitchen that has made ground beef and hamburger patties for restaurants and grocery stores for the past 65 years.

“When we decided to get into the pet industry 11 years ago, our friends at PureBites were one of our first customers,” Paul Wehba, owner and CEO of 18 Below, said. “There are not many privately held leading pet food and treat companies left, and their obsession with using high-quality, human-grade ingredients in their minimally processed treats, food and toppers fit perfectly with our vision. We are so happy to be joining the PureBites family as our 80-member team will be transitioning from one 2nd generation private company to another.”

As part of the acquisition, Paul Wehba will continue to head operations at the Fort Worth kitchen, as will his entire management team.

“Paul and his team have built a great business,” says Cathcart. “We will continue to service the great customer base Paul has created while ensuring that PureBites RAW freeze-dried treats, food, and toppers are made in our own human-grade kitchen and available to pet parents throughout North America and the world.”

Norton Rose Fullbright provided legal counsel to PureBites and Greenberg Traurig provided legal counsel to 18 Below. Birdseye Advisory Group served as financial representative to 18 Below.

About Pure Treats Inc., Bar W Foods and Eighteen Below Partners, LLC

Founded in 2005 and based outside of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Pure Treats makes natural dog and cat treats, food, and toppers with their PureBites and PureSnacks brands. Pure Treats products are available online and in-store at leading retailers throughout North America as well as thousands of neighborhood pet stores.

Founded in 1959 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, Bar W Foods and 18 Below Partners LLC run a kitchen, servicing human and pet food customers across North America from their USDA-inspected, APHIS-approved and SQF-certified facility.