Jobs lost as dogfood supplier Kennelpak calls in administrators

Wholesale petfood supplier and distributor Kennelpak has been placed into administration, resulting in 51 job losses.

The Nottingham-headquartered business, operating since 1974, was owned by private equity firm Endless via its Enact fund following a 2017 deal.

Administrators from BDO were appointed to Kennelpak Ltd earlier today (3 July), The Grocer has learned.

No reason for the failure was given in a short statement from the recovery firm, while The Grocer is waiting to hear back from Endless.

BDO sold the Yakers dog chew brand, along with stock and other associated assets, to PE-backed platform Assisi Pet Care in a pre-pack deal on appointment to Kennelpak.

This transaction saved the jobs of two staff who have transferred to the new owner, as well as providing continuity for suppliers and customers of the Yakers brand.

BDO is exploring options for a further sale of the remaining Kennelpak assets.

“Kennelpak is a well-established operator within the petfood sector,” said BDO joint administrator Kerry Bailey.

“We are delighted to have secured a sale of the Yakers brand and continuity for the company’s suppliers and customers of a well-known brand.

“Regrettably, on appointment we have had to make 51 people redundant, and we are supporting them to make their claims to the redundancy payments service.”

Kennelpak specialised in wholesaling, manufacturing, and distributing a range of pet products, including food, accessories and care items.

PE owner Endless sold off the retail side of the group, trading as Pets & Friends, last year to PSR Trading, which runs the Just for Pets retail chain.

The retail operation was made up of 19 stores and 17 grooming salons, employing more than 200 staff. It accounted for £16.4m in Kennelpak group sales in the year ended 31 March 2024, according to the most recent documents available at Companies House.

The remaining wholesale side of the group – now in administration – turned over £20.9m in 2023/24.

Kennelpak returned to the black in the year leading up to the sale of the retail division, with a pre-tax profit of £463k on total revenues of £37.2m.