mlplaw advises on the sale of a leading UK pet supplies manufacturer and distributor
- Case Studies
- 23rd Jun 2025
We are proud to have advised the shareholders of one of the UK’s leading pet supplies manufacturers and distributors. They successfully sold part of their business to the Blackburn-based Pets Choice brand. Deal Structure and Background The transaction involved the sale of the ‘Pettex’ arm of the group, incorporating the cat litter and small animal […]
By Max McGenity
mlplaw
We are proud to have advised the shareholders of one of the UK’s leading pet supplies manufacturers and distributors. They successfully sold part of their business to the Blackburn-based Pets Choice brand.
Deal Structure and Background
The transaction involved the sale of the ‘Pettex’ arm of the group, incorporating the cat litter and small animal area of their business. Our clients, therefore, retained the reptile and aquatics arm, now trading as ‘Pettex Aquatics’.
The sale followed a capital reduction demerger separating ‘Pettex’ from the retained ‘Pettex Aquatics’ business. Having assisted the clients on that initial restructure, we were ideally placed to support them through this next strategic milestone.
Legal and Commercial Challenges
Our team worked closely with the clients’ accountants to navigate a highly detailed negotiation process. This was especially important regarding the intellectual property assets involved. A key focus of the deal was ensuring clarity around the IP being transferred versus that being retained for ongoing use by the remaining group companies.
Outcome and Future Focus
The successful completion of the sale marks a key step in the group’s long-term strategy. It allows the team to focus on growing the retained Pettex Aquatics reptile and aquatics operations.
Steve Bolton, managing director of Pettex Aquatics, commented: “Having known the sale of our Cat Litter and Small Animal side of our business was going to be complex we instructed mlplaw for the sale as we had worked with them previously, we was please at the level of assistance at every stage and the prompt communication from all departments to any matters. I am sure the sale may not have transpired had it not been for their input.”
Congratulations to Pettex Aquatics and Pets Choice on a successful outcome and exciting future for both businesses!
Thinking of Selling Your Business?
If you’re considering the sale or partial sale of your business, our experienced Corporate team would be happy to support you. We provide clear, strategic advice tailored to your commercial goals. We also work seamlessly with your advisory team to ensure a smooth process from start to finish. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help.
About the expert
Rachel Owen
Partner - Corporate
Rachel is a highly experienced Corporate lawyer who joined mlplaw in 2019 from a national law firm and now leads the Corporate Team. Rachel’s main area of work is mergers and acquisitions covering share and asset acquisitions and disposals, but includes management buy-outs, investments, group re-organisations, demergers, joint ventures, shareholders agreement, articles of association, cross options, share capital arrangements, corporate governance, employee ownership schemes and share incentive schemes. She has a pragmatic approach and understands client’s priorities and objectives. She assists with the day to day needs of business clients. Rachel has gained particular experience in the Insurance and Healthcare sectors, but acts for clients from across the spectrum.
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