SOWELL & CO. ACQUIRES SERGEANT'S PET PRODUCTS

OMAHA, Neb. -- Sowell & Co., an investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, has acquired the business operations of Sergeant's Pet Products from ConAgra, based here, in an asset transaction. Terms were not disclosed.

the Sergeant's brand.

Sergeant's becomes Sowell & Co.'s third acquisition in the rapidly growing and consolidating pet supplies industry. Pet Life Foods and Gaines Pet Food of Canada are Sowell's other related firms. Following the acquisition, Sergeant's adopted the name Sergeant's Pet Care Products. Its offices will remain in Omaha, with manufacturing and distribution facilities in Greeley, Colo., and Memphis, Tenn.

Sergeant's invented and introduced flea collars in the 1960s, played a lead role in introduction of over-the-counter flea control squeeze-on products in 1998, and recently launched a line of premium pet nutraceuticals and related health care items. Sergeant's brands of pet supplies include Sergeant's, PreTect, Vetscriptions Health Care for Pets, Uncle Sam's, Old West, Bansect and Geisler.