February 1, 2024 – Vafo Group, a Czech family company that manufactures petfood, has bought the Finnish Dagsmark Petfood. The acquisition took place on January 31, 2024. Dagsmark will continue to operate as an independent company and all its personnel will be transferred to the new owner.
Vafo Group already owns Prima Pet Premium Oy in Finland and Vafo Finland Oy, a dry petfood factory completed for Nokia in spring 2023. With the acquisition, Dagsmark becomes a sister company of Prima Pet Premium and Vafo Finland in Finland. The companies will continue to operate separately, but will intensify their cooperation. The companies’ productions naturally complement each other, as Dagsmark produces wet food for dogs and cats at its own factory in Mellilä.
“Dagsmark has done an excellent job. The company’s growth has been tremendous and the products are of high quality. We see considerable growth potential in the Dagsmark brand in Finalnd and the opportunity to expand to other Nordic countries,” says Timo Pärssinen, a member of Vafo Group’s management team.
Finland is already a familiar and important market for Vafo Group. The company’s strategic goal is to grow organically and through acquisitions in the Nordic countries. The purchase of Dagsmark strengthens Vafo’s position as Finland’s largest petfood manufacturer.
Nokia’s dry food factory is Vafo Group’s previous big investment in Finland. The factory, which cost about 20 million euros, was completed in 2023. Vafo Group also manufactures products of other brands in its factories. The company is known for the high and consistent quality of its products.
“For us, the acquisition is an absolutely positive thing. With the new owner, we get more resources and know-how and the opportunity to invest more in product development than before,” says Riikka Koskenohi, CEO of Dagsmark.
“We have a strong shared value base with Vafo Group. The well-being of pets and high-quality raw materials are at the heart of both operations.”
Domesticity remains unchanged, competence increases
The acquisition does not affect the domesticity of Dagsmark’s products. The dry and wet petfood sold under the Dagsmark brand will continue to use domestic raw materials whenever possible. Wet food production continues at Dagsmark’s own factory in Mellilä, and dry food production at Vafo Finland’s factory in Nokia.
As part of Vafo Group, Dagsmark’s production capacity will be developed, which means investments and new jobs in Finland. The investments will increase the know-how related to the preparation of petfood and its roots in Finland.
“Through the business transaction, Vafo Group’s expertise in petfood manufacturing and procurement resources are also available to Dagsmark. I am sure that Dagsmark’s story will continue even stronger than before”, says Timo Pärssinen of Vafon.
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