 In 1980, the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company was acquired by Grand Metropolitan and in 1986 Grand Metropolitan sold the Liggett Group but retained Alpo Petfoods, Inc.In 1995, Nestlé SA acquired Alpo Petfoods, Inc. from Grand Metropolitan.In January 2001, Nestlé SA announced the merger of Nestlé Friskies with Ralston Purina to form the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.