Freshfields advises Central Garden & Pet on its acquisition of a majority interest in Trixie

Global law firm Freshfields has advised Central Garden & Pet Company, a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries, on entering into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Trixie Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG. The acquisition aligns with the Central to Home strategy of strengthening Central’s portfolio of pet and garden brands and represents a major step in expanding the Central’s presence in Europe.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Tarp, Germany, Trixie is one of the leading European providers of pet supplies and pet snacks. With more than 6,000 products, strong innovation capabilities, and high-performing logistics, the company supplies over 30,000 specialty retailers across numerous international markets.

Following completion of the transaction, Trixie will continue to operate under its existing leadership team. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of Central’s fiscal 2027, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

The Freshfields team was led by Partner Stephanie Hundertmark and Principal Associate Christoph Becherer (both Berlin) and further comprised Partner Arend von Riegen, Principal Associates Alexander Schramm (Berlin) and Viviane Cismak (Frankfurt) as well as Associates Faras Mirhoseiny (Berlin/Frankfurt), Alena Lieder, Johannes Lorber (both Berlin), Camillo von Haugwitz (Frankfurt), Burak Firat (Berlin, all Corporate/M&A).

The wider Freshfields team comprised Partner Tanja Walter-Yadegardjam, Counsel Peter Stark and Associate Uli Dietz (all Tax, Frankfurt), Partner Frank Schaer, Principal Associate Fabian Zöpfchen and Associate Christoph Hautkappe (all Employment Law, Frankfurt), Partner Vanessa van Weelden and Associate Nicolas Dewitte Langenfeld (both Antitrust, Brussels), Principal Associate Katharina Reinhardt (Berlin) and Associate Maria Kern (Düsseldorf, both Regulatory), Principal Associate Marius Li-Yang Stein (Frankfurt) and Associate Yvonne Wolski (Düsseldorf, both Commercial).