GREENWICH, CONN. — Private equity firm Brynwood Partners is acquiring the Marie’s salad dressing and Dean’s Dip businesses from Ventura Foods, LLC, Brea, Calif. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
A manufacturing plant in Thornton, Ill., also is a part of the deal. Marie’s is a maker of salad dressings, dips and spreads, and has a strong position in the refrigerated salad dressing space, according to Brynwood Partners. Dean’s manufactures and markets dips and spreads as well.
Once the transaction is complete, the two businesses will operate as West Madison Foods. The newly formed company will be headquartered in Chicago.
“Dean’s and Marie’s are extraordinary brands, and we are delighted to lead these brands into their next phase of growth and expansion,” said Henk Hartong III, chairman and chief executive officer of Brynwood Partners. “We look forward to partnering with the team in Thornton to enhance manufacturing and bring more products and new innovations to market.”
Brynwood Partners has been active in the food and beverage industry recently. In March, the company acquired Uno Foods through its Great Kitchens Food Co. subsidiary. Uno Foods manufactures frozen pizzas.
In January, Brynwood also added Birch Benders to its Hometown Food Co. subsidiary. Acquired from Sovos Brands, Inc., Birch Benders manufactures organic, keto-friendly and paleo-friendly baking mixes.
Other food businesses owned and operated by Brynwood Partners include Harvest Hill Beverage Co., Carolina Beverage Group and the Buitoni Food Co. The acquisition of Marie’s and Dean’s and the formation of West Madison Foods increases the total Brynwood manufacturing network to 17 manufacturing plants, approximately 4,700 employees and more than $2.6 billion in annual sales, according to the company.
