In the News

Wellness Pet Company renaming harmonizes pet nutrition pioneer’s mission of bringing nature, innovation, and science to premium pet nutrition with the Company’s flagship Wellness^® brand

TEWKSBURY, Mass., December 21, 2021 – WellPet, LLC, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company, backed by Clearlake Capital Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”), today announced it is changing its name to the Wellness Pet Company (“Wellness Pet,” or the “Company”). With 100 years of premium pet food and treats heritage, Wellness Pet will build on its mission of fulfilling a shared life of wellbeing between pets and a new generation of pet parents. This expanded vision for Wellness Pet Company comes at a pivotal time as consumer interest in the premium natural pet food category has been fueled by step-change increase in U.S. pet adoption and pet parents seeking the benefits of premium natural nutrition first-hand.

“We felt this was the ideal time to re-introduce Wellness Pet, a company focused squarely on serving the next generation of pet parents at the beginning of their life-long pet parenting journey. Our relationships with pets are about more than just companionship. Pets provide a mutually beneficial emotional connection that makes each of our lives better every day, and proper, science-driven natural nutrition is one of the foundational elements needed to keep them healthy, happy, and well,” said Reed Howlett, CEO of Wellness Pet Company. “Pet parents and their pets are at the center of all that we do, and we believe that natural, premium nutrition focused on proven health outcomes is the foundation of creating this mutual wellbeing. We’re here to make a difference for even more pets and their families.”

The premium natural category is the largest and fastest growing segment in the pet food industry, and Wellness Pet Company believes this is driven primarily by the desires of Millennial and Gen-Z pet parents, who are expected to make up 58% of American pet parents by 2025. This next generation of pet parents looks for credible brands they can trust and has a greater interest in feeding premium treats, toppers, and supplements that make them confident their pets’ needs are being met. Wellness Pet will actively pursue its mission to create natural nutrition that provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits that pets can feel, and pet parents can see, like a healthy skin and coat, optimal energy, digestive health, healthy eyes, teeth and gums, and immunity.

“We see so much potential for Wellness Pet Company as a purpose-driven organization that continues to provide pet parents around the world with the quality products they deserve,” said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Arta Tabaee, Managing Director, of Clearlake. “We look forward to supporting the Company’s strategic growth with the help of our 

Operations, People and Strategy playbook, O.P.S.^®, while supporting initiatives important to pet parents, such as a continued commitment to natural nutrition, a science-driven approach, and sustainability.” 

Wellness Pet Company carries on the legacy of best-in-class product innovation and outcomes-based nutrition led by its flagship Wellness^® brand and includes well-known dental treat brand WHIMZEES^® by Wellness^® and all-natural dog treat brand Old Mother Hubbard^® by Wellness^®, in addition to premium food brands Holistic Select^®, Sojos^®, and Eagle Pack^®, all backed by its world-class operational and manufacturing capabilities rooted in quality and safety.

Wellbeing amongst pets and parents also means wellbeing for their communities and the environment they enjoy together. That’s why Wellness Pet Company will remain committed to the global fight against climate change with more recyclable packaging, low-waste eCommerce shipping, and greater attention to manufacturing emissions while continuing to operate with the highest food safety and compliance standards. Equally important will be creating and cultivating diversity, inclusivity, and belonging in the workplace.

The new company name will be effective in early 2022. Wellness Pet Company will continue to be headquartered in Tewksbury, MA. The Company also recently opened a new Boston, MA office, the Consumer Connect Center (C3), a center of excellence that will focus on developing best-in-class nutrition solutions for the next generation of pet parents.

About Wellness Pet Company:

Wellness Pet Company, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company, is home to pet food and treats brands Wellness^®, WHIMZEES^®by Wellness^®, Old Mother Hubbard^®by Wellness^®, Holistic Select^®, Sojos^®, and Eagle Pack^®. Building on a 100-year legacy, Wellness Pet Company has a singular mission of fulfilling a shared life of wellbeing between pets and pet parents with premium natural nutrition that provides proven health benefits that pets feel, and pet parents can see, because when pets are well, pet parents are, too. Wellness Pet produces proprietary and exclusive formulations at its three state-of-the-art facilities in Indiana, Minnesota, and the Netherlands, supported by a supply chain spanning over 1.2 million distribution points across the globe. More information is available at the Company’s website.

About Clearlake:

Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is a leading investment firm operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake’s operational improvement approach, O.P.S.^® The firm’s core target sectors are technology, industrials, and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $55 billion assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap.

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Media Contact:
Abby Campbell 
360PR+
acampbell@360pr.plus
857-300-6301

DiPersio is the latest addition to the WellPet Senior Leadership Team, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to continued growth in premium pet nutrition

TEWKSBURY, Mass., September 20, 2021 – WellPet, LLC, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company, announced today that Tricia DiPersio, PhD, RD, has been appointed to the role of Vice President of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs. With an impressive background in food safety and quality assurance, DiPersio joins the WellPet team to build on the company’s commitment to a best-in-class food safety culture.

DiPersio most recently served as the Executive Vice President, Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance at D&D Consulting where she led global strategy to implement safety and quality programs for food manufacturers across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Prior to D&D, DiPersio led the food safety and quality assurance programs at Panda Restaurant Group for nine years where they won the coveted IAFP Black Pearl Award for Excellence in Food Safety and Quality Assurance. She also held roles at Target Corporation and Wild Oats Markets (now Whole Foods) earlier in her career. DiPersio completed her dietetics degree at the University of Northern Colorado and earned her master’s degree and PhD in animal and food science and human nutrition with a focus on pathogenic microbiology from Colorado State University.

“We know pet parents trust WellPet to provide high-quality nutrition, so every day our team is committed to building on our culture that prioritizes food safety and quality assurance above all else,” said Reed Howlett, CEO of WellPet. “Tricia’s background is exemplary, and she is a true expert in this space. We are thrilled to bring her on board to help us take our food safety and quality initiatives to the next level.”

Earlier this year, WellPet’s Minnesota-based Farm Fresh Kitchens manufacturing facility earned an “A” grade accreditation from the British Retail Consortium’s Global Standard for Food Safety, a certification that requires exceptional, ethical, and safe practices. DiPersio joins at a pivotal time for the company to ensure that this level of food safety and quality remains consistent as WellPet continues on a growth trajectory and enters new categories. She will work closely with Howlett and other members of the senior leadership team to manage the global quality organization and vendor relationships, develop enhanced safety practices, and ensure compliance with appropriate regulatory activities.

“I’m honored for this opportunity to bring my passion for food safety and quality assurance to the booming pet food industry. As a pet parent to six, I know firsthand that nothing is more important than providing safe, premium natural nutrition to ensure the health and wellbeing of our pets,” said DiPersio. “WellPet’s existing commitment to safety and quality is both impressive and inspiring, and I’m looking forward to joining this exceptional team.”

DiPersio and her husband will be based near WellPet’s Tewksbury, MA office with their two Boston terriers, one chihuahua, one cat, and two parakeets. To learn more about WellPet and its family of brands, visit www.wellpet.com.

About WellPet, LLC:

WellPet, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company is home to premium pet food brands Wellness^®, WHIMZEES^®, Old Mother Hubbard^®, Holistic Select^®, Eagle Pack^®, and Sojos^®. For more than 100 years, WellPet has delivered on the promise of doing whatever it takes to make the healthiest natural products for the pets that depend on us. Today, our team of animal lovers, nutritionists, and veterinarians at WellPet are committed to carrying forth our strong heritage, continuing to find new ways to bring innovation, nutritional excellence, and product quality to our family of natural brands, always putting pet health first. For more information, visit www.wellpet.com.

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Media Contact:
Abby Campbell 
360PR+
acampbell@360pr.plus
857-300-6301

TEWKSBURY, Mass., August 24, 2021 – WellPet, LLC, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company, backed by Clearlake Capital Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”), announced today the appointment of Nneka Rimmer to the company’s Board of Directors. She joins WellPet with more than 25 years of experience in the branded consumer products industry and specializes in global growth and go-to-market strategies, corporate transformation, leadership development and change management. 

“What attracted me to this opportunity was WellPet’s collaborative culture and team of inventive thinkers who truly put pets at the center of all they do and create. I’m confident my deep experience within the consumer sector will help WellPet execute on its compelling value proposition to deliver superior products at the convergence of science and nature,” said Rimmer. “It’s an exciting time for WellPet and the pet food industry as a whole, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help the company reach new heights by partnering with WellPet leadership and Clearlake to ultimately provide pet parents more nutritional innovation and convenience.” 

Rimmer most recently served as President, Global Flavors and Extracts, at McCormick & Co. until April 2021. Prior to joining McCormick, Rimmer was the first African American female partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she advised Fortune 100 C-suite executives on operational and commercial excellence. She was a member of BCG’s North America Leadership Team with a focus on consumer products and retail, the public sector, and strategy practices. 

“Nneka’s impressive background in corporate development and strategic planning, as well as her experience in consumer goods and retail, makes her an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors,” said Reed Howlett, CEO of WellPet. “We are thrilled to welcome Nneka to the WellPet team as we continue to innovate and build on the company’s 100-year heritage as a pioneer in natural pet foods.”

“We see great opportunities working with Nneka and are confident her sector, managerial and corporate governance expertise will be a great addition to the WellPet Board of Directors. As WellPet continues to transform, expand and enter new categories in pursuit of its mission of delivering nutritional excellence for the growing population of pet parents, Nneka’s extensive background in strategic growth will be vital to the company,” said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Arta Tabaee, Manager Director, at Clearlake. “We look forward to working closely with Nneka as we chart WellPet’s next chapter.”  

Rimmer, who also sits on the boards of Energizer Holdings and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, will work closely with other board members and the senior leadership team as the company continues to expand into new, science-forward categories, introducing a new generation of pet parents to the benefits of premium natural nutrition with proven outcomes for a lifetime of wellbeing. 

About WellPet, LLC:

WellPet, the largest North America based independent branded premium natural pet food company is home to premium pet food brands Wellness^®, WHIMZEES^®, Old Mother Hubbard^®, Holistic Select^®, Eagle Pack^®, and Sojos^®. For more than 100 years, WellPet has delivered on the promise of doing whatever it takes to make the healthiest natural products for the pets that depend on us. Today, our team of animal lovers, nutritionists, and veterinarians at WellPet are committed to carrying forth our strong heritage, continuing to find new ways to bring innovation, nutritional excellence, and product quality to our family of natural brands, always putting pet health first. For more information, visit www.wellpet.com.

About Clearlake:

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with world-class management teams by providing patient, long term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake’s operational improvement approach, O.P.S.^® The firm’s core target sectors are consumer, technology, and industrials. Clearlake currently has approximately $39 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap.

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Media Contacts:

For WellPet
360PR+
Abby Campbell 
acampbell@360pr.plus
857-300-6301

For Clearlake
Lambert & Co.
Jennifer Hurson
jhurson@lambert.com
845-507-0571