US Foods has agreed to purchase F. Christiana, a distributor of food and food-related products that concentrates on center-of-the-plate categories, as well as dairy and dry goods. Family owned, F. Christiana has nearly $100 million in annual sales and serves more than 1,800 independent restaurant, hotel and deli/convenience store customers in Louisiana, southern Mississippi and parts of southern Alabama. It will continue to operate under the F. Christiana name. The transaction is expected to close by mid-June.
US Foods, a leading foodservice distributor, has nearly 25,000 employees and more than 60 locations. It provides customers with a broad, innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, the company generates approximately $23 billion in annual revenue.
Package Concepts and Materials adding new facility
Package Concepts and Materials, Inc. is adding a 30,000-sq.-ft. production facility on its Greenville, SC campus. Projected to be completed this summer, the $3 million addition will increase the production of PCM’s spice net-casing products and cook-in casings, and is expected to create 30 jobs.
PCM creates cutting-edge meat and poultry cooking solutions, spanning both net and plastic casings products. The company collaborates with industry, universities and raw material suppliers, while partnering with leading food manufacturers to integrate its casings into hundreds of cooked meat and poultry products.
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company expanding
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company has acquired a 15,000-sq.-ft. building in Virginia that will initially be used for warehouse storage; it also may serve as an additional base for future operations. Founded in 2009 by Scott and his wife, Becky Harris, Catoctin Creek uses local and organic ingredients to produce a variety of premium spirits, including its flagship Roundstone Rye, Virginia’s most-awarded whisky.
Schwan’s adds pizza manufacturer to portfolio
Schwan’s Company is acquiring MaMa Rosa’s Pizza LLC from HGGC, with the sale expected to be finalized on June 15. MaMa Rosa’s manufactures foods for the foodservice industry and retail stores under the MaMa Rosa’s and Fight’n Tomato Pizza Co. pizza brands.
Established in 1952, Schwan’s Company subsidiaries sell foods through its retail, foodservice and home-delivery channels. Based in Minnesota, the privately held business manufactures and markets quality foods. Its brands include Red Baron, Tony’s, Bon Appétit and Freschetti pizza; Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards desserts; Pagoda snacks; and Schwan’s fine frozen foods.
Fannie May Confections Brands sold
Ferrero International S.A. has purchased Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc., including its subsidiaries Fannie May Confections, Inc. and Harry London Candies, Inc., from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. In addition, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and Ferrero have formed a strategic commercial partnership that gives 1-800-FLOWERS.COM the distribution rights for Fannie May, Harry London and certain Ferrero confectionery products in its ecommerce channels, as well as gift baskets sold into the club, food, drug and mass channels in the US.
Ferrero is one of the world’s largest chocolate confectionery companies. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a leading provider of gourmet food and floral gifts for all occasions.
Praxair, Inc. poised to combine business with Linde AG
Praxair, Inc. has reached an agreement in principle to a Business Combination Agreement with Linde AG. Under the proposed agreement, the companies would combine their businesses in a merger of equals under a new holding company through an all-stock transaction. The agreement is subject to approval by the Praxair board of directors and the Linde executive board and supervisory board.
