BLUE has a variety of formulas tailored to each stage of life, ensuring that your pet gets the necessary nutrition to thrive at any age. Learn how the love for a family dog named Blue lives on in every bowl you feed your pet. (c) Represents costs incurred for initial public offering. (b) Represents costs incurred for public offerings. Blue Buffalo, which went public in 2015, offers dry and canned products that are either grain-free or made from human-grade meat and produce.
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Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2017 consolidated net sales of US $15.6 billion, as well as another US $1.0 billion from its proportionate share of joint-venture net sales. When their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer, Bill Bishop and his sons sought out the best pet food possible for their boy. Unable to find a natural option with high-quality ingredients, they created their own.
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Our promise to feed Blue the best food possible evolved into a whole new way of feeding pets. Healthy ingredients aren’t just a trend for us; they’re a part of our history. Since we started in 2003, we’ve always used high-quality natural ingredients with real meat first. When family dog, Blue, faced health issues, Bill Bishop and his sons set out to create the best possible pet food made with the highest-quality natural ingredients — food that felt worthy of their beloved family member. About General MillsGeneral Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie’s, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Häagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, Blue and more.
- About Blue BuffaloBlue Buffalo, based in Wilton, Conn., is the nation’s leading natural pet food company, providing natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics, BLUE Freedom and BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet lines.
- General Mills will operate Blue Buffalo under a newly formed Pet operating segment.
- Did you know that puppies and kittens have entirely different dietary needs than older dogs and cats?
- Our promise to feed Blue the best food possible evolved into a whole new way of feeding pets.
- When their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer, Bill Bishop and his sons sought out the best pet food possible for their boy.
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You’d do anything to ensure your pet’s health and happiness, and choosing the right diet is a crucial first step. BLUE offers a wide selection of formulas for specific breed sizes, life stages, lifestyles, and health needs — in recipes to please every palate. Find BLUE at one of our trusted retail partners online or at a store near you. General Mills will operate Blue Buffalo under a newly formed Pet operating segment.
Our Pet Parent Care team is made up of passionate pet enthusiasts who work closely with veterinarians and nutritionists to get you the answers you need. Experts on all things Blue Buffalo, these team members are also trained to answer questions about our foods and treats and offer general pet feeding advice. Take a moment to take our True BLUE Test to see how your current brand compares to the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll find in all BLUE foods. Did you know that puppies and kittens have entirely different dietary needs than older dogs and cats?
It currently has 1,700 employees and would operate in a new pet care unit within General Mills, according to the WSJ. Billy Bishop, Blue Buffalo’s CEO, will stay in his position. Mix and top your way to pet chef perfection with these unique Blue Appétit recipes for dogs and cats.
About Blue BuffaloBlue Buffalo, based in Wilton, Conn., is the nation’s leading natural pet food company, providing natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics, BLUE Freedom and BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet lines. The promise we made to our family dog, Blue, is a promise we’ve kept for millions of pets — and it’s what sets us apart from other brands. All BLUE foods are made with high-quality, natural ingredients with real meat first, no poultry by-product meals, and no corn, wheat, or soy.
With Blue Buffalo, they began to feed Blue like family — and have since inspired millions of Pet Parents to do the same. “My leadership team and I, along with our entire organization of over 1,700 ‘Buffs’, are excited to join the General Mills family,” said Blue Buffalo co-founder Billy Bishop. “Our business continues to grow, with first-quarter results ahead of our plan, and we’ll use General Mills’ world-class capabilities in innovation, supply chain, distribution, and sales to build on our success and advance our mission of reaching more pet parents and feeding more pets.” General Mills is looking for sales and profits to increase within two years of the acquisition, the company said, which would be a welcome boost as the RTE cereal market continues to slide. While its most recent earnings showed an sales bump due to new cereal products, plus its snack brands, General Mills has posted declines in its yogurt brands.
The company has experienced double and triple-digit annual growth over the past several years behind strong advertising and marketing programs, and a continuous stream of new products. Blue Buffalo is the only brand of pet food that both advertises on television and also maintains a 1,500+ person staff of in-store product specialists that educate pet parents on the features and benefits of their products. The company sells its products through the leading national pet specialty chains, PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus and over 10,000 neighborhood stores nationwide. “Today marks an important new chapter as we welcome Blue Buffalo to the General Mills family,” said General Mills Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening. This is the largest acquisition so far for Jeff Harmening, who only became General Mills’ CEO last June. He is hoping that the Blue Buffalo deal will boost the company’s bottom line by giving it a primary position in the wholesome and natural pet food market, which is expected to continue growing.
It’s been that way since day one — and it always will be. BLUE is the #1 Wholesome Natural pet food brand in the U.S. with $1.275 billion in net sales and $319 million in Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2017, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25%. Over the past three years, Blue Buffalo has delivered compound annual net sales growth of 12% and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 18%. In today’s world where pets are family, we believe that our furry family members deserve the best food possible — natural pet food for dogs and cats with nutritious ingredients, real meat first, and some of the highest standards in the industry. Enter Blue Buffalo, our first foray into pet food and trusted by millions of pet parents everywhere. Founded in 2003 in Wilton, Connecticut, Blue Buffalo is the leader in premium quality, all-natural pet nutrition.
Senior members of the Blue Buffalo management team, including Billy Bishop, will continue to lead Blue Buffalo from its headquarters in Wilton, Conn. Bishop will report to Harmening. However, the company has shown increasing interest in M&A with 301 INC, its venture capital arm established in 2015, and if the Blue Buffalo acquisition proves successful, look for this activity to continue. Sign up today and get the latest news and pet tips from BLUE.
All of our products undergo a rigorous 6-point quality check. Learn about this important process and our two state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturing facilities. Get to know our amazing adoption partners and how we’re helping more pets find loving homes.