Procter & Gamble buys pet-food maker Natura

Cincinnati, Ohio — The Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G), owner of Iams, is taking the final steps toward buying Natura Pet Products, according to both companies.

Natura Pet Products is the maker of brands such as Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma — which are sold in specialty pet stores and through veterinarians.

The purchase should be finalized within the next month and would help P&G "expand into the attractive 'holistic and naturals' segment of the pet-food category," according to a statement from the company on the purchase of Natura.

Natura says its products will remain available through the change in ownership, but offers no details about the future of the 140 employees at its production sites in California and Nebraska.

"P&G has assured us of their commitment to this business and to the people who have been our partners and advocates over the years," Natura President Dan Scott says in a statement.

Visit naturapet.com or pginvestor.com for more information.