Chicago-based Hometown Food Co. has acquired the Arrowhead Mills and SunSpire brands from The Hain Celestial Group Inc. for $15 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The transaction includes a manufacturing facility in Hereford, Texas and its employees.
"Arrowhead Mills and SunSpire were pioneers in the organic, non-GMO ingredients space and we are excited to add these tremendous brands to our portfolio,” Brynwood Partners Chairman and CEO Henk Hartong said in a statement. “This acquisition strengthens our industry position by adding improved capabilities in the better-for-you space that we plan to extend into our other categories."
Arrowhead Mills’ mission is to provide organic, high-quality products to its customers. Arrowhead Mills competes primarily in the baking and breakfast categories. The brand was founded in 1960 in the Texas Panhandle by Frank Ford, a pioneer in organic farming. The Arrowhead Mills brand is considered a leader in the better-for-you space with a national retail presence.
SunSpire is a producer of wholesome chocolates all made with the world's richest cocoa beans. The brand's products offer health-conscious consumers an assortment of innovative products including baking chocolate and chocolate candy. SunSpire's baking chips and chocolate bars include rich, indulgent, Fair Trade, organic and alternative products. SunSpire products are made with the simplest ingredients available that are completely free of refined sugars, hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, preservatives and artificial flavors.
Hometown Food Co. was formed by Brynwood Partners in June 2018 to acquire a portfolio of brands from The J.M. Smucker Co.