Ohio Pet Foods, Inc.

What Ohio Pet Foods, Inc. does

BrightPet Nutrition Group, LLC is a U.S.-based pet food manufacturer and brand operator headquartered in Lisbon, Ohio, formed in April 2016 when the Golladay family's Ohio Pet Foods (founded 1978) and Southern Tier Pet Nutrition were combined with Blackwood Pet Food and private equity sponsor Graham Partners. The platform today operates six wholly-owned subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities across Ohio, New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Oregon, producing premium and super-premium dry kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, and frozen raw pet diets and treats under both proprietary and customer brands. The owned brand portfolio includes Blackwood, Adirondack, By Nature (featuring the SUPERFUSION™ nutritional blend), Stewart, Miracle Care, Hamilton, Bravo!, and SO Bright. The company serves more than 40 brands across domestic and international markets and exports to more than 25 countries.

BrightPet's revenue model combines three business lines: outsourced kibble and treat contract manufacturing for retailers and other brands; custom formulation and private label (OEM) production, including the XPet low-minimum-order program for emerging brands; and sales of its own premium branded portfolio through direct brand websites, Chewy, Amazon, and independent retail chains. Manufacturing technology centers on slow-cooking in small batches to drive higher starch conversion and nutrient retention, freeze-drying capabilities built through the acquisitions of Phoebe Products, Stewart (via MiracleCorp), Bravo!, and Raw Advantage, and a supply chain holding more than 150 ingredients on-hand. The company holds USDA Organic, EU, Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, and SQF Level 2 certifications — a combination described in source material as one of the few held by a U.S. pet food producer and one that materially enables international and organic-channel distribution.

Since October 2020, BrightPet has been majority-owned by Alvarez & Marsal Capital Partners (A&M Capital Partners), a middle-market private equity platform with approximately $3.1 billion in AUM, succeeding Graham Partners. The company has executed a sustained buy-and-build strategy, completing four acquisitions between 2018 and 2023 (Phoebe Products, MiracleCorp, Bravo! Pet Foods, and Raw Advantage) to broaden freeze-dried and frozen raw capabilities, add West Coast capacity, and diversify into adjacent pet care categories including grooming, supplements, and equine tack. The Golladay family retains minority ownership and executive leadership; A&M Capital publicly stated that BrightPet's revenues more than doubled in the two years following its acquisition.

Name

Ohio Pet Foods, Inc.

Legal name

BrightPet Nutrition Group, LLC

Website

https://ohiopetfoods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BrightPet Nutrition Group is a U.S. premium pet food manufacturer operating six facilities in OH, NY, WI, and OR, producing branded products (Blackwood, Adirondack, By Nature, Stewart, Bravo!) and OEM/private-label output for 40+ brands across 25+ countries, majority-owned by A&M Capital Partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Pet Food Manufacturing

NAICS

Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Dry Kibble (Dog & Cat) (CRADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Custom & Private-Label Pet Food Manufacturing (AFADAFAO), Frozen & Raw Pet Food (incl. freeze-dried) (CRADAFAD), Pet Treats & Chews (AFADAFAF), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH)

Keywords

• Pet food manufacturing
• Private label pet food
• Contract pet food manufacturing
• Premium pet nutrition
• Freeze-dried pet treats

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing / Co-packing: BrightPet provides outsourced kibble manufacturing and outsourced treat manufacturing services for other brands and retailers. This includes custom formulation and private label (OEM) pet foods.
2. Branded Pet Food and Treat Sales: Sale of company-owned premium pet food and treat brands including Blackwood, Adirondack, By Nature, Stewart, Miracle Care, Hamilton, and Bravo.
3. Private Label / Custom Label (OEM): Custom formulation and custom label manufacturing for retailers and other brands. The company can produce pet foods under customer brand names with their specifications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ohio Pet Foods, Inc. is a contract manufacturer of premium and super-premium pet food (kibble and treats) operating since 1978 as part of BrightPet Nutrition Group. The business specializes in custom formulation, private label (OEM) production, and co-packing for retailers and brands while also selling company-owned premium pet food and treat brands (Blackwood, Adirondack, By Nature, Stewart, Miracle Care, Hamilton, Bravo!, SO Bright).

Product overview

Ohio Pet Foods, Inc. is the evolution of a third-generation family business founded in 1962, now operating as BrightPet Nutrition Group. The company functions as both a manufacturer of premium and super-premium pet foods under owned brands (Blackwood, Adirondack, By Nature, Stewart, Miracle Care, Hamilton) and as a contract manufacturer (Ohio Pet Foods, Southern Tier Pet Nutrition, Phoebe Products, Raw Advantage, BNG Miracle Pet). BrightPet also acquired Bravo! Pet Foods for frozen raw and freeze-dried products and SO Bright for premium pet treats. The portfolio includes dry kibble, wet food, freeze-dried and frozen raw diets, treats, and pet care accessories. The company offers custom formulation, private label (OEM), and co-packing services, plus the XPet program for creating custom brands with low minimum orders. Manufacturing facilities are located in Ohio, New York, Wisconsin, and Oregon with EU and organic certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blackwood: Super-premium pet food brand handcrafted and slow-cooked in small batches for over 20 years; includes wet dog & cat food and treats
• Adirondack
• By Nature
• Stewart
• Miracle Care
• Hamilton
• Bravo!

Products and services

• Blackwood Pet Food Super-premium pet food brand handcrafted and slow-cooked in small batches, including wet dog and cat food and treats, distributed through independent retail chains, Chewy, Amazon, and brand websites.
• Adirondack Pet Food Premium pet food recipes formulated for peak pet performance at all life stages, featuring unique single or double source proteins including turkey, whitefish, pork and herring, with a grain-free line.
• By Nature Pet Food Premium pet food line launched in 2019 featuring the proprietary SUPERFUSION nutritional blend of premium proteins, superfood ingredients (goji berry, ginger, taurine, turmeric, blueberries, kelp, pumpkin, spinach) and probiotics, available in sustainable packaging for dogs and cats at independent retailers.
• Stewart Pet Food and Treats Premium all-natural pet food and treats brand featuring single-ingredient freeze-dried treats, treats with benefits (omega 3, probiotics, chondroitin), and nutritional diets, manufactured in small batches using freeze-drying techniques at an SQF Level 2 certified facility.
• Miracle Care Pet Care Products Premium pet care products including health and beauty aids, grooming tools, remedies, first aid items, and supplements, available for individual use or professional needs.
• Hamilton Pet and Equestrian Products High-quality nylon collars, leashes, harnesses, halters, lead ropes and tack, plus leather goods for dogs and horses.
• Bravo! Pet Foods Pioneer frozen raw and freeze-dried pet food brand offering complete and balanced meals, customizable nutrition plans, treats, chews and supplements for dogs and cats across the Bravo! Homestyle Complete, Bravo! Balance, Bravo! Blends, Bravo! Basics, and Bravo! Boneless product lines.
• SO Bright Pet Treats Premium and super-premium pet treats known for functional, high-meat content, all-natural, organic baked and freeze-dried formulations.
• XPet Custom Pet Food Program B2B program allowing brands to create their own pet food line with low minimum orders using 14 existing dog and cat food formulas and customizable white poly bags for their own labeling.
• Ohio Pet Foods Contract Manufacturing (Custom Formulation and Private Label / OEM) Contract manufacturing service specializing in custom formulation and private label (OEM) pet foods, with a Lisbon, Ohio batching system that handles unlimited raw materials and 150+ ingredients, enabling production for retailers and brands domestically and internationally.
• Southern Tier Pet Nutrition Contract Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of premium holistic, natural, and organic pet foods from an Oregon Tilth Certified Organic facility in Sherburne, New York, exporting to more than 20 countries.
• Phoebe Products Contract Treat Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of premium and super-premium pet treats (functional, high-meat content, all-natural, organic baked and freeze-dried) including co-packing and private label, from a Kiel, Wisconsin facility.
• Raw Advantage Processing Contract Manufacturing Contract co-manufacturing of freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food and treats from a Salem, Oregon facility, providing BrightPet with a West Coast manufacturing presence.
• BNG Miracle Pet (MiracleCorp) Freeze-Dried Treat Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of freeze-dried pet food and treats from a Dayton, Ohio facility, expanding BrightPet's freeze-dried pet food and treats manufacturing capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 60% meat proteins in grain-free recipes to ensure proper taurine levels and cardiovascular health
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Raw Advantage Processing, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Family-owned co-manufacturer of freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food and treats based in Salem, Oregon. Provides West Coast presence for BrightPet and strengthens position in freeze-dried and frozen raw pet food categories.
• Bravo! Pet FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Founded in 2002 by the Bogner family in Manchester, Connecticut. Pioneer in frozen raw and freeze-dried pet diets with commitment to species-appropriate, all-natural, fresh-frozen raw diets. Products include complete and balanced meals and customizable nutrition plans.
• MiracleCorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Dayton, Ohio-based company with complete line of innovative pet products including the Stewart brand of freeze-dried treats, Miracle Care health products, Hamilton pet products, ARC Veterinary Products and Group Summit flooring products.
• Phoebe Products, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018Family-owned manufacturer of premium and super-premium pet treats since 1990, located in Kiel, Wisconsin. Acquired by BrightPet to expand treat manufacturing capabilities. Known for functional, high-meat content, all-natural, organic baked and freeze-dried treats.
• Ellie's Rainy Day FundminorOthersCommunity partnership supporting animal welfare initiatives
• Paws for PeopleminorOthersCommunity partnership supporting therapy animal programs
• Humane Society of Greater DaytonminorOthersCommunity partnership supporting animal welfare in Dayton region
• Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC)minorOthersIndustry membership organization for sustainable pet products

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diamond Pet Foods: Large-scale U.S. manufacturer of pet food and treats including private-label and co-manufactured brands (Taste of the Wild, Diamond, Kirkland signature for Costco). Comparable as a high-volume contract/private-label manufacturer serving both value and premium tiers.
• Champion Petfoods: Canadian manufacturer of premium and biologically appropriate pet food brands Orijen and Acana. Comparable as a premium kibble/freeze-dried manufacturer with strong brand equity, international distribution, and premium-channel positioning.
• Fromm Family Foods: Fourth-generation, family-owned premium pet food manufacturer producing kibble and canned products for dogs and cats in Wisconsin. Comparable as a family-led U.S. manufacturer of premium pet food with multi-generational expertise and selective distribution.
• Stella & Chewy's: Premium raw and freeze-dried pet food brand acquired by Mars Petcare. Direct overlap with BrightPet's Bravo! and Raw Advantage operations in the frozen raw and freeze-dried segments serving premium-channel pet parents.
• Primal Pet Foods: Manufacturer of frozen raw and freeze-dried pet food based in California. Direct comparable in the rapidly growing raw/freeze-dried category where BrightPet now competes through Bravo! and Raw Advantage.
• Mid America Pet Food: Family-owned contract manufacturer of premium and super-premium dry extruded pet food, with extensive private-label/OEM capabilities serving major pet brands. Highly comparable dual model (contract manufacturing plus owned brands) and customer base mirrors BrightPet's structure.
• North American Pet Products (Vital Essentials): Manufacturer of freeze-dried raw pet food and treats under the Vital Essentials brand. Comparable as a smaller, founder-led U.S. freeze-dried raw manufacturer — a logical tuck-in or peer comparable in the same subcategory as Bravo! and Raw Advantage.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Buffalo (General Mills): Leading premium natural pet food brand (Blue Buffalo, BLUE Basics, Wilderness) owned by General Mills. Comparable premium/natural positioning that competes with BrightPet brands at retail and on Chewy/Amazon, but with vastly larger marketing budgets.
• WellPet: Owner of Wellness, Holistic Select, and Old Mother Hubbard natural pet food and treat brands. Comparable as a broader portfolio player in the natural/premium pet food and treats category overlapping with Stewart, Adirondack, and By Nature positioning.
• Nature's Variety (Nestlé Purina PetCare): Pioneer in raw and freeze-dried pet diets (Instinct line) under Nestlé Purina ownership. Direct competitor in the raw/freeze-dried segment where BrightPet competes via Bravo!, but operates with significantly larger marketing and retail leverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-pet-foods-inc-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Pet Foods, Inc.