Fritz to Manufacture Mardel and AP Aquatic Products

Fritz Industries of Mesquite, Texas, has acquired the Mardel and Aquarium Product (AP) lines of aquarium medications and water-quality products from Sergeant's Pet Care Products Inc. of Omaha, Neb., for an undisclosed sum.

The push to shed the lines has been in the offing almost since day one when the Perrigo Co., a global pharmaceutical company with U.S. operations in Allegan, Mich., agreed to acquire Sergeant’s for $285 million in 2012.

While Perrigo was looking to expand into the pet market, it wasn’t necessarily looking to get into the aquarium category.

"This acquisition allows us to penetrate the pet care category by offering numerous flea and tick, health and well-being, and consumable products to pet owners at affordable prices,” said Joseph Papa, chairman and CEO of Perrigo, at the time the deal was being finalized.