Acquisition sees two pet supplies businesses join forces

Yorkshire family-owned pet food manufacturer, Burgess Pet Care, has acquired Runaround, a Cheshire-based maker of homes for rabbits and other small animals, for an undisclosed sum.

Based in Dunham Massey, Runaround was founded in 2009 by Caroline Lord who felt the hutches available at the time did not allow her own rabbits to express their natural behaviours.

Since launching its Connection Kit in 2010, the business’ product line has developed to offer everything from runs and burrow pipes, through to complete housing systems.

Steve Baker, managing director of Burgess Pet Care, which is based near Goole, said: “We have worked with Caroline and her family for a number of years through events such as Rabbit Awareness Week, and we share a passion to increase the welfare of rabbits and other small pets by providing great products that meet their specific requirements.

“As two family-owned businesses with such similar values the acquisition makes perfect sense and will enable us to drive our welfare agenda to new customers and markets.”

Under the terms of the acquisition, Lord will remain in the business as a director whilst in a separate move, her son, Jack Lord, has joined Burgess Pet Care as digital marketing executive.

Runaround will continue to operate its direct-to-consumer business model through its own website, shipping to consumers around the world.

Owners of the Excel small animal food brand, Burgess Pet Care can trace its roots back to 1749 and has a long history in promoting animal welfare through research and education, launching the UK’s single component rabbit food in 1998.

Since then the company has launched Rabbit Awareness Week 2006 alongside the UK’s leading animal welfare charities and the world’s first indoor rabbit food in 2018.

With an ever evolving situation as a result of the uncertainty created over the last 18 months by Covid-19, what impact is this having on the deals market in Yorkshire?

This is just one of the questions being asked at TheBusinessDesk.com’s webinar in partnership with Clearwater International, which will also discuss whether we should expect next years market to be driven by traditional consolidation-driven M&A, or whether investors will be making a grab for those companies that are driving forward innovation or are now viewed as essential, as well as which sectors will be most active and where there will be opportunities.

Join us and our expert panel at 10am on 10th November for free by registering here.