Sauer Brands, a US producer of condiments, spices, seasonings and extracts, has completed the acquisition of Chicago Custom Foods from private investment firm Highlander Partners.
Founded in 2000, Chicago Custom Foods manufactures and distributes branded seasonings including Kernel Season’s popcorn seasonings, Tasty Shakes oatmeal add-ins, and Veggie Season’s vegetable seasonings.
The firm’s products are sold in more than 22,000 retailers, including mass merchants, grocery and specialty stores, throughout North America and internationally.
Having acquired CCF, Sauer Brands, a portfolio company of private equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners, will operate the enterprise as a separate business unit.
Jason Roy, CCF’s current CEO and a 17-year veteran of the firm, will continue to lead the company and will report to Sauer Brands’ CEO Martin Kelly.
Sauer Brands’ portfolio already includes names such as Duke’s Mayonnaise and The Spice Hunter, while the firm also supplies private label products to retail and foodservice.
“CCF has done a tremendous job growing the Kernel Season’s brand, creating a culture of innovation and leveraging an impressive degree of merchandising savvy that we can learn from,” said Bill Lovette, executive chairman of Sauer Brands.
“We are excited about adding another strong brand to our line-up and partnering with Jason and his team to grow the business through supply chain efficiencies and other synergies.”
Jeff Partridge, CCF chairman and a Highlander managing director, said: “Jason and his team have done an exemplary job. The speed of innovation and creativity in developing high quality new products has only been outdone by the immense growth the company has experienced.
“We want to thank Jason and the entire team for an incredible job and wish them the best.”
Chicago Custom Foods’ CEO Jason Roy added: “We are excited about joining the Sauer Brands family and look forward to working with Bill and Martin to accelerate growth for all of our brands.”
The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
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