Willkie is advising NXMH on the sale of its portfolio company Whitebridge Pet Brands’ North American premium cat feeding and pet treating business to General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) in a transaction valued at $1.45 billion.

On November 14, General Mills announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Whitebridge Pet Brands’ North American premium cat feeding and pet treating business, which includes the Tiki Pets and Cloud Star portfolio of brands, from NXMH.

As part of the transaction, General Mills will assume operations of two manufacturing facilities in Joplin, Missouri. NXMH will retain Whitebridge Pet Brands’ European business and brands. The transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Willkie previously advised NXMH on its acquisition of Whitebridge Pet Brands, a leading natural pet food and treats manufacturer, in 2021.

NXMH is a pan-European investment firm with €3 billion of assets under management.

The Willkie team is led by corporate partners Adam Turteltaub and Morgan McDevitt and associates Ian Morganelli and Kevin Ahmed, with partner Matthew Makover and associates Dhananjay Adusumilli and Alex Li advising on intellectual property matters.