Solina acquires Canadian wholesale food distributor Lynch Foods

Solina has acquired Canadian wholesale food distributor W.T. Lynch Foods as it looks to accelerate its expansion in the North American market.

Founded in 1942, Lynch Foods manufactures a wide range of savoury and sweet food products – such as sauces, syrups and dessert toppings, and soup and gravy bases – for the foodservice and retail markets.

The acquisition will further expand Solina’s North American business, which began with the purchase of Canadian foodservice company Produits Alimentaires Berthelet in 2020.

In addition, Lynch Foods’ 178 employees will now join Solina, bringing the company’s Canadian headcount to over 315 employees.

Anthony Francheterre, CEO of Solina, commented: “In Lynch Foods, we have bought a company that has a similar and complementary business platform to Berthelet and the capacity and capabilities to drive our growth as a leading food solutions partner in the Canadian market. This is a positive and exciting move for both companies, our customers, and our people.”

Guillaume Dubois, president of Solina Canada, added: “This is a remarkable moment for us in Canada. Having Lynch Foods and Berthelet in our portfolio gives us coverage coast-to-coast and establishes Solina as the leader in foodservice and customised flavour solutions nationally. Our customers and our people will benefit from our expanded capabilities and ability to grow with them.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Last October, Solina purchased Smithfield Foods’ seasoning business, Saratoga Food Specialties, for $587.5 million.