Kuala Lampur:According to BERNAMA News Agency, Umios Corporation and Wah Kong Corporation have successfully established a strategic joint venture centered on Pet World International Sdn Bhd (PWI), a leading pet food company in Malaysia. This collaboration marks a significant development in Malaysia's pet food market.

Umios has invested approximately 11.4 billion Japanese yen to acquire a 51% stake in PWI through a newly created holding company. This move aims to enhance its foothold in Malaysia's expanding pet food industry. PWI's chief executive officer and shareholder, Choy Peng Yew, emphasized the importance of finding a partner that aligns with PWI's long-term vision and can propel the company into its next growth phase.

The joint venture will leverage Umios's expertise in wet pet food and PWI's capabilities in dry food, providing a comprehensive range of products for both dogs and cats. The integration of their sales networks, product portfolios, manufacturing capabilities, and R&D expertise is expected to drive growth across Asia. Umios aims to achieve a pet food operating profit of approximately 10 billion Japanese yen and a return on invested capital of 18% by March 2028.

PWI is a prominent player in Malaysia's pet food market, holding the second-largest market share and leading among local companies, as per NielsenIQ. It operates the nation's only BRC-certified pet food plant and employs around 350 people. PWI's products are distributed through over 10,000 physical stores and its e-commerce platforms, with consolidated sales reaching approximately 12.4 billion Japanese yen for the year ended September 2025.

Japan Corporate Advisory Institute Ltd, a Tokyo-based advisory firm specializing in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, provided financial advisory services for the transaction, including strategy, valuation, negotiations, and documentation.