Irish Dog Foods, the pet food manufacturer owned by the Queally family, has acquired full control of Bennington Foods, a UK-based pet foods business. No financial details of the deal have been disclosed.

Up to now, Irish Dog Foods owned a 50% stake in Bennington but has taken full control of the company in a bid to Brexit-proof the business. Bennington Foods has annual sales of almost €9m and made profits of €625,000 last year.

The Queally family bought Irish Dog Foods in the early 2000s with the aim of using the business as an outlet for fifth-quarter products from its cattle processing business

The UK market accounts for less than 15% of Irish Dog Foods total business, which generates over €80m in sales annually.

The Queally family bought Irish Dog Foods in the early 2000s with the aim of using the business as an outlet for fifth-quarter products from its cattle processing business in Dawn Meats and QK Meats.

The company first manufactured dry dog food for the retail market under branded and private labels. At one point Glanbia and Supervalu accounted for 90% of the company’s sales. The business has evolved significantly, with a much greater focus today on premiumisation.