Mars buys American animal clinic operator VCA

Candy manufacturer Mars acquired American animal clinic operator VCA for 7.7 billion dollars (7.3 billion euro). The deal gives Mars control over 800 animal clinics.

Diversify

Mars already owns about 900 animal hospitals in the United States, including the Banfield Pet Hospitals chain. This acquisition turns Mars into one of the world’s largest animal care companies in the world. It is already the world’s largest animal food manufacturer, with brands like Pedigree, which gives it control over about about 25 % of the animal food market, worth 71.77 billion dollars (67.7 billion euro) worldwide. 

Just like other candy manufacturers, Mars seeks to diversify as the consumer lowers his candy intake and switches to healthier options, which obviously puts pressure on the major candy manufacturers’ turnover.