An affiliate of Balmoral Funds LLC has acquired Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition LLC, a provider of custom nutrition products in pet, aquaculture and livestock markets, from Wilbur-Ellis Holdings II LLC. Going forward, Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition will operate under the name Rangen, a historic brand that many of its customers are already familiar with.
The transaction covers the full nutrition business of Wilbur-Ellis, including the Rangen, Ametza, Emmert, Oxy-Gon, Oxy-Gold and Oxy-Block product lines, as well as proprietary premixes, ingredient blends, sourcing services, and all related sales, customer service and production processes.
This acquisition positions Rangen as an independent platform, primed to build on its legacy of performance, innovation and customer trust.
Mark Essig, an experienced leader with expertise across various industries, will serve as CEO of Rangen. Essig has more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across multiple industries, including manufacturing, distribution and specialty materials. Throughout his career, he has served as CEO and as a board member for public and private companies. He is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and fostering customer-focused innovation that delivers sustainable business results.
“I am honored to lead Rangen at this important inflection point in its history,” Essig said. “Our legacy brands, technical expertise, and deep customer relationships provide a strong foundation. Together with Balmoral’s support, we will accelerate innovation and growth across the pet, aquaculture and livestock markets.”
Richard Levernier, board member of Rangen and principal at Balmoral Funds, added: “Rangen has a rich history and has shown demonstrated success as a leading producer of value-added animal nutrition products. We look forward to further partnering with our customers, suppliers, employees and all stakeholders to achieve mutually shared goals. The company is well positioned to further invest in its business and support our customers’ growth, both with increased capacity and innovative products. We know the Rangen team feels the same way and are excited to start this next chapter.”
Balmoral’s strategic investment reaffirms its dedication to enhancing Rangen’s leadership and innovation across the animal nutrition industry. By placing a strong emphasis on employee empowerment, operational excellence, and customer and supplier relationships, Rangen is well-positioned to strengthen its leadership across the pet, aquaculture and livestock sectors. This renewed focus builds on the company’s trusted legacy, and sets the stage for capturing emerging opportunities and driving long-term, sustainable growth.
