AUA Private Equity Announces Acquisition of Westminster Pet Products

New York, NY – September 8th 2020 —AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC (“AUA Private Equity”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Westminster Pet Products (“Westminster” or the “Company”), a family-owned developer and marketer of pet treats, chews and supplies as well as shoe care products. Westminster operates out of a 240k square foot BRC-AA certified facility located in Cumberland, RI selling to a robust blue-chip North American customer base.

Westminster represents AUA Private Equity’s first platform investment in the pet industry which is supported by attractive industry tailwinds and increasing consumer spending on pets as extensions of the core family. AUA Private Equity will work with existing management to continue the Company’s growth trajectory through product development, increased channel penetration, and future tuck-in acquisitions.

David Benyaminy, Partner of AUA Private Equity, commented: “We welcome Westminster and it’s management and employees as the newest addition to our portfolio. Westminster’s product offering is well positioned to further capitalize on its growing end markets including the attractive pet treats, chews, and supplies categories. We see numerous opportunities to drive continued growth and our strategic acquisition will support the Company’s long-term success and commitment to its customers, consumers, and pets nationwide.”

Andy Unanue, Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity, added: “The pet industry has proven to be resilient throughout market cycles and also benefits from positive macro-economic trends including increased pet adoptions and spending by consumers. Westminster is well-positioned to continue to benefit from these positive trends and we are tremendously excited about our investment in Westminster and our partnership with its management team.”

The transaction was led by Partner David Benyaminy, Vice President Ari David, Associate Greg Conway, Senior Analyst Gregory Guggenheim, and Summer Intern Kurt Van Mol. McDermott Will & Emery LLP served as legal advisor to AUA Private Equity. Additional advisors to AUA Private Equity include CohnReznick LLP, L.E.K. Consulting, and Lockton Companies.

About AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC

AUA Private Equity Partners is a New York based, operationally-focused, lower middle-market investment firm providing strategic capital to companies in the consumer products and services sectors with a particular focus on family-owned businesses or companies benefiting from the growth of the U.S. Hispanic population. AUA Private Equity makes equity investments of $20 to $75 million in companies that generate in excess of $5 million in EBITDA. For more information on AUA Private Equity Partners, please visit www.auaequity.com

About Westminster Pet Products

Westminster is a family-owned developer and marketer of pet treats, chews, supplies, and shoe care products serving the retail industry. Founded in 1913 by the Elliott family, Westminster operates out of a 240k square foot BRC-AA certified facility located in Cumberland, RI. For more information on Westminster, please visit www.westminsterpet.com

CONTACT

John Moore
John.Moore@auaequity.com
212-231-8650

Disclosure: This document should not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or investment advisory services, and are intended for informational purposes only. Any offer will be made solely pursuant to a Private Placement Memorandum and Subscription Agreement (“Offering Documents”) to qualified offerees. This document in whole or in part will not form the basis of and should not be relied upon in connection with any investment in any fund. To the extent that statements made in this document summarize provisions of the Offering Documents, they are qualified in their entirety by the terms of such Offering Documents. A copy of the Offering Documents must be reviewed and accepted prior to making a decision to invest in any fund. An investment in any fund may result in loss to an investor. Interests in AUA’s private funds are not offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, until the requirements of the laws of such jurisdiction have been satisfied.