United Pet Group’s John Heil To Retire in March

John Heil, long time president of Cincinnati-based United Pet Group and a member of Spectrum Brand’s executive committee, will retire March 31. After his retirement, Heil will consult for Spectrum Brands and serve as an advisor to Spectrum’s CEO Dave Lumley.

 

With Heil’s retirement, Barry Seenberg, vice president and general manager of United Pet North America, will assume responsibilities for United Pet Group’s North American business and global financial consolidation and report directly to Lumley and Andreas Rouve, managing director of Europe, will continue to oversee the European and Asian pet businesses and continue to report to Lumley.

Heil had set up this succession plan in recent months as he planned his retirement, Spectrum reported.  

“John recently completed the pet division’s multi-year global integration and reorganization,” and the pet division delivered record sales and profits in fiscal 2012,” Lumley said. “We thank him for his leadership and contribution and wish him well.”

For 2012, Spectrum’s global pet business reported net sales of $616 million and EBITDA of $113 million. It accounted for 19 percent of Spectrum’s total revenues and 22 percent of its total EBITDA. Brands include Tetra, Jungle Labs, Furminator, Marineland, Lazy Pet, Dingo and Excel.

North America accounted for 71 percent of United Pet’s revenues in 2012, with Europe accounting for 20 percent and the rest of the world 9 percent. Aquatics accounted for 58 percent and companion animal 42 percent of 2012 sales.

“Under John’s leadership, our world-class pet supplies division has grown and been further streamlined along with, more recently, a reinvigoration of the aquatics business,” said David Maura, chairman of Spectrum Brands and executive vice president and director of Harbinger Group Inc., Spectrum Brands’ majority shareholder.

Spectrum is actively seeking additional bolt-on and “tuck-in” acquisitions in the pet area to further boost sales. Target areas include dog and cat treats, dog and cat health care, dog and cat nutrition, wild bird, reptile, and pet training and containment. The company is particularly interested in targets with manufacturing and/or distribution synergies that will allow it to squeeze out more cost savings.

Spectrum also expects to begin paying a regular quarterly dividend beginning in March 2013, with the initial dividend set at $0.25 per share.

Heil joined United Pet Groups in 2000 after a 25-year career with H.J. Heinz Co., where he held various executive positions, including president and managing director of Heinz Pet Products. He currently sits on the board of directors of VCA Antech Inc. and Temper-Pedic International Inc.

 

Nibbles & Bits:

 

The always entertaining Dave Ratner of Dave’s Soda  & Pet City pitches his Dave’s Pet Food on Home Shopping Network. He’s set to pitch on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 11, at 5 p.m.