HOLLAND, MICH. — John A. Van Den Bosch Co. (VDB), a fifth-generation pet food distributor, has been acquired by investment firm Rubelmann Capital. The acquisition was announced by Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Charter Capital Partners, who served as the M&A advisor to VDB.

Founded in 1932, VDB is a regional distributor of pet foods to retailers. The company also manufacturers wild bird seed.

“We take pride in the legacy we have built at John A. Van Den Bosch,” said Dave Van Den Bosch, chairman of the board of directors at VDB. “We’d like to thank the leadership team and all the employees who helped grow the business and consider them part of our family. In addition, we’d like to thank our customers and vendors who we have partnered with for many years and our shareholders for their support for the past 90 years.”

According to Rubelmann Capital, VDB’s reputation within the pet food product industry makes it the perfect platform for Rubelmann’s capital allocation strategy.

“The entire team at John A. Van Den Bosch Co. have done a remarkable job building on the company’s 90-year legacy, and we look forward to working with them to continue the growth trajectory for years to come,” said Peter Rappaport, founder at Rubelmann Capital. “We will continue operating as John A. Van Den Bosch Co. and expect a seamless transition for employees, customers and vendors.”

VDB’s current Chief Executive Officer Joel DeBruin will remain with the company following the acquisition.  

“Rubelmann Capital’s dedication to integrity and quality perfectly aligns with our values,” DeBruin said. “We are confident that this acquisition will usher in a new era of growth and success for our company.”

Under Rubelmann’s ownership, VDB will continue its legacy with added support. Additionally, David Blatte, chairman and former chief executive officer of Quaker Pet Group LLC and PetWise (formerly WorldWise Inc.), has partnered with Rubelmann in its investment and will serve as chairman of VDB’s board.

“With Rubelmann’s support, VDB will remain focused on continuing to serve our customers at the highest standards and will remain focused on adding new innovative products to our already diverse offering,” Blatte said. “We expect this industry to continue to benefit from the continued growth of pet ownership and increased demand for quality pet products and we look forward to partnering and helping our customers take full advantage of the exciting trends in their product categories.”

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