Private-equity firm Brynwood Partners has acquired the Marie’s salad dressings brand and the Dean’s dip business from US manufacturer Ventura Foods. This purchase includes a factory in Thornton, Illinois where the products are manufactured, employing over 80 staff members.
The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. To oversee and manage these assets, Brynwood has established West Madison Foods, which will be headquartered in Chicago.
Henk Hartong III, the CEO of Brynwood Partners, expressed his enthusiasm for the “extraordinary brands” of Marie’s and Dean’s. He believes that through innovation, Brynwood and West Madison Foods will lead these brands into their next phase of growth and expansion.
Under the Marie’s brand, a range of salad dressings, dips, and spreads are offered, while the Dean’s brand focuses specifically on dips and spreads.
This acquisition brings Brynwood’s manufacturing network to a total of 17 facilities, employing around 4,700 individuals and generating more than $2.6bn in annual sales.
Prior to this purchase, Brynwood’s subsidiary, Great Kitchens Food Co., acquired the Uno Foods pizza business from Newport Global Advisors. Uno Foods supplies frozen and chilled pizzas, calzones, entrées, and appetizers to retail and foodservice customers.
The Brynwood portfolio also includes Buitoni Food Co. and Hometown Food Co., the latter of which recently acquired Birch Benders, a well-known pancake and waffle mix brand, from Sovos Brands.