Latest News Releases
Forage Invests in Red Dog Deli Raw Food Company
Red Dog Deli Raw Food Company Receives $3.5 Million in Growth Funding Led by Forage Capital Partners
Coquitlam (April 16, 2021) – Red Dog Deli Raw Food Company Inc. (Red Dog), a leading Canadian manufacturer of raw pet food and treats, announced today they have entered into a strategic partnership to help fuel its growth plans. This round of funding is led by Forage Capital Partners and pet food industry experts, John Hart, Scott Doyle and Edmund O’Keeffe.
Since 2004, Red Dog has provided pet parents with wholesome nutrition solutions for pets of every size and breed. The Company began when Inna Shekhtman and five friends joined together to develop food that would help their beloved dogs and cats thrive. Their goal was to create simple whole-food products, using human grade, ethically sourced meats and following human food-safety standards. In addition to great products, Red Dog has made a substantial investment in education, training and research regarding sourcing, food processing, pet food safety, food quality, and nutrition.
Red Dog is committed to working with its industry partners to create a community of suppliers, retail partners, pet experts and pet parents that are passionate about creating a healthier, safer and more sustainable model for nourishing their pets.
“We are excited to be partnering with this group of passionate and highly experienced individuals that share our values and commitment to sustainable food and business.” said Inna Shekhtman, CEO of Red Dog. “We know pet parents want their furry family members to thrive but need help and support along their journey to health. With this new partnership, we will increase our investment in education, product innovation and development that challenges the status quo of the pet industry and prioritizes fresh, biologically appropriate ingredients that promote pet health and longevity.”
“We are proud to partner with the passionate team at Red Dog on their growth strategy. Raw diets are a rapidly growing segment of the pet nutrition market in the North America. We are excited by the opportunity to build on the momentum retailers are seeing in Canada through continued innovation in both product and package formats.” – Steven Leakos, Forage Capital.
“Red Dog Deli is a highly differentiated, unique brand in the raw category. We embrace Inna and her team’s mission of providing better nutrition solutions through superior, fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. We are extremely impressed with their state of the art, HACCP certified manufacturing facility. Having control over all aspects of sourcing, production and food safety is extremely important to everyone at the Company. Minimally processed, whole food ancestral based nutrition does make a difference in the overall health and well-being of pets. We are proud to be a part of this amazing journey.” – John Hart
About Red Dog Deli Raw Food Company Inc.
Red Dog Deli Raw Food Company Inc. is a manufacturer of raw pet food and treats under the Red Dog Blue Kat brand located in Port Coquitlam, BC. Western Canada’s leader in raw pet food continues to focus on producing quality products using the best food safety standards and delivering science-based education about pet nutrition. Red Dog Blue Kat real pet food products contain free-range, non-medicated meat and certified organic vegetables for maximum bioavailability and absorption. Red Dog Blue Kat products can be found in more than 200 quality pet retailers, including holistically minded veterinarian’s offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. For more information on Red Dog Deli, visit www.reddogbluekat.com
About Forage Capital Partners
Forage Capital Partners is Canada’s most experienced team of Ag & Food investors, having managed over $500 million in commitments to the industry over the last 18 years. Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund works to provide its portfolio companies with the stability and flexibility they need to expand and adapt their business models during these challenging times. The fund will invest with creative business owners that are looking to capitalize on new and innovative opportunities that will emerge as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers. For more information on Forage Capital Partners, visit www.foragecapitalpartners.com
Forage leads $20M US Financing in Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc.
Ostara Raises US $20 Million to Acquire Strategic Assets to Scale Up Crystal Green Fertilizer Production
VANCOUVER, BC, and RIVERVIEW, FL – April 19, 2021 – Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. (“Ostara”) announced today the closing of a financing for proceeds of US$20M (the “Financing”). The Financing was led by Forage Capital, with additional participation from Export Development Canada (EDC), ADM Capital’s advised Cibus Enterprise Fund and Wheatsheaf Group. Proceeds of the Financing will be used to acquire and upgrade a strategically located fertilizer production facility in Missouri that significantly scales up Ostara’s capacity for the production of its Crystal Green fertilizers.
“Ostara is at the center of a movement in agriculture where end-users are demanding crop nutrition solutions that are superior from both an agronomic and environmental perspective. Our corporate philosophy is based on these fundamentals, and we are very pleased to be aligned with leading global investors in agriculture who support our strategy,” said Dan Parmar, President and CEO of Ostara.
“Forage is excited to support a Canadian Ag-Tech leader in the sustainable fertilizer business. Ostara’s global supply chain along with its world class IP portfolio will allow it to build a truly unique product portfolio that enables farmers to reduce the environmental impact of their operations,” said Jim Taylor, President of Forage Capital.
About Ostara: Ostara’s Crystal Green® fertilizers are the first continuous-release phosphorus fertilizers to release nutrients in response to plant demand; these Root-Activated™ granules are proven to increase yields, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphorus tie-up and runoff, thereby improving food security while protecting local waterways from nutrient pollution. In addition, the Company’s Pearl® technology recovers phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial, agricultural, and municipal water streams, and transforms these nutrients into its premium, sustainable Crystal Green® fertilizers which are sold into the agriculture and turf sectors through a network of established distributors in North America and Europe. To learn more about Ostara’s revolutionary technologies, please visit ostara.com | crystalgreen.com.
Media Contacts:
Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. | Koert VandenEnden | E kvandenenden@ostara.com
Forage Capital and Roynat Equity Partners Invest in S3
Bob Sonntag retires from S3.
March 1, 2021 - S3 Enterprises (“S3”) announced today that Bob Sonntag, President and owner, has retired and sold his interests in the organization. Bob has worked in agricultural manufacturing since 1985, when he joined Rem Manufacturing, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He first made his mark in the industry selling springs, tynes and rake teeth out of a sample case. Bob bought S3 in 2006, expanding operations to include the Delta Harrow plant in Shenandoah, Iowa, and rebranding the company under the S3 name.
Sonntag served on the board of FEMA (Farm Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) and was a strong advocate of AMC (Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada) and SMI (Spring Manufacturers’ Institute). Bob has enjoyed travelling on behalf of his business, building relationships with friends, customers and suppliers around the world. His career has demonstrated a passion for and understanding of the industry, a keen sense of humor and ongoing dedication to the S3 team.
Bob began stepping back from day to day operations several years ago, appointing the very capable management team of Richelle Andreas, CEO, Joe Gallant, GM S3 Wireform, Al Marques GM S3
Manufacturing, and Ida van Scyoc, GM S3 Delta Harrows. Bob professed, “It’s amazing what they have accomplished without me holding them back.”
Forage Capital Partners and Roynat Equity Partners are pleased to have invested in S3 upon Bob’s retirement. Steven Leakos, Managing Director of Forage Capital commented, “The thing that impressed us about S3 was its culture, its willingness to approach the market differently, and its leadership. We are very excited about what the future holds for S3.”
“We look forward to expanding upon S3’s remarkable success and partnering with the S3 team as we continue to support the ongoing growth,” said Tobin Hayward, Director at Roynat Equity Partners.
For information concerning this news release, please contact: S3 Enterprises Inc.
inquiries@s3enterprises.com
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About The S3 Group
The S3 Group brings 55 years of experience to the farm equipment and agricultural component market, along with a flexible, customer focus and a values-based philosophy. For more information about S3, visit www.S3enterprises.com
About Forage Capital Partners
Forage Capital Partners is Canada’s most experienced team of Ag & Food Investors, having managed over $500 million in commitments to the industry over the last 18 years. Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund works to provide its portfolio companies with the stability and flexibility they need to expand their business models during these challenging times. The fund will invest with creative business owners that are looking to capitalize on new and innovative opportunities that will emerge in the coming months and years as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers. For more information on Forage Capital Partners, visit www.foragecapitalpartners.com
About Roynat Equity Partners
Roynat Equity Partners facilitates growth and creates wealth in established mid-market private companies by providing patient capital, advice and contact networks to Canadian entrepreneurs. With offices across Canada, Roynat Equity Partners is dedicated to helping mid-market companies grow and achieve their business goals. Flexible investment structures are tailored to the needs of partners and include common equity, preferred equity, and convertible debt. Roynat Equity Partners is a division of Roynat Capital Inc. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotiabank. For more information, please visit www.roynat.com.