AUA Private Equity-backed Westminster Pet Products Grows its Platform with the Acquisition of Pet ‘n Shape

WEST PALM BEACH, FL. (September 15, 2021) – AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC (“AUA Private Equity” or the “Firm”), on behalf of its portfolio company Westminster Pet Products, LLC (“Westminster” or “WPP”), is pleased to announce the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Pet Ventures, Inc. dba Pet ‘n Shape.

Established in 2005 by the Abramson Family, Pet ‘n Shape is an emerging brand of pet treats and chews that offers a full-line of branded, high-quality products made from natural ingredients.

Joe Flanigan, CEO of Westminster, commented: “The combination of Westminster and Pet ‘n Shape allows us to build on the success Pet ‘n Shape has established in the online and e-commerce channels, and enables us to serve a larger customer base, across new channels, with a broader range of product offerings.”

Ahdee Abramson, Founder and CEO of Pet ‘n Shape, added: “As part of the Westminster family, Pet ‘n Shape will have more resources and support to focus on continued growth and enhancing its value proposition to customers. On behalf of the entire Pet ‘n Shape team, we look forward to joining Westminster and to our combined continued success.”

David Benyaminy, Partner with AUA Private Equity, added “We are excited to partner with Ahdee and his talented team to continue growing the Pet ‘n Shape brand. Pet ‘n Shape expands Westminster’s consumable offering and enhances its important and fast-growing e-commerce segment.”

AUA Private Equity has built a seasoned executive leadership team at Westminster led by CEO Joe Flanigan, formerly the Global Pet Specialty Director at Mars, Inc. Recent additions to the Westminster leadership team also include: (i) Kim Spang as CFO, formerly SVP of Finance at Pabst Brewing Company and Senior Finance Director at Welch Foods; (ii) Jorge Abud as Chief Commercial Officer, formerly Retail Sales Operations Director for Mass & Pet Specialty at Mars, Inc.; and (iii) Jason Eldridge as VP of Marketing, Innovation and eCommerce, formerly Global Marketing Director and eCommerce lead at Merisant Company.

The transaction was led by Partner David Benyaminy, Vice President Ari David and Analyst Trip Ewig on behalf of AUA Private Equity.  Legal advice was provided by McDermott Will & Emery. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

About AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC

AUA Private Equity Partners is an operationally focused, lower middle-market investment firm providing strategic capital to companies in the consumer products and consumer 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 developer and marketer of pet treats, chews, supplies, and shoe care products serving the retail industry. Founded in 1913, 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

AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
Sean Gagnon
sean.gagnon@auaequity.com
212.231.8650