Creekstone Farms beef in superstore
Creekstone Farms supplies beef and pork products to grocers and restaurants in the United States.
 

TOKYO — Marubeni Corp., a diversified Japanese trading conglomerate, has agreed to acquire Creekstone Farms Premium Beef L.L.C. (C.S.F.) from Sun Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Marc Leder, Sun Capital Partners
Marc Leder, co-c.e.o. of Sun Capital

“We’re proud of our success building Creekstone Farms into a leading international provider of top-grade meats,” said Marc Leder, co-chief executive officer of Sun Capital. “Throughout the course of this investment, the Sun Capital team partnered with management to drive strategic initiatives that enabled Creekstone Farms to thrive despite broader industry challenges. We are looking forward to seeing the business continue to prosper under its new ownership.”

Based in Arkansas City, Kas., C.S.F. supplies Black Angus beef, antibiotic-free Duroc pork and other value-added products to grocers and restaurants in the United States. CSF also exports to Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Creekstone Farms beef products
Creekstone Farms produces Black Angus Beef, antibiotic-free Duroc Pork and other value-added products.
 

“With the acquisition of C.S.F., in addition to its existing subsidiary Rangers Valley, which engages in cattle feeding and beef distribution in Australia, Marubeni will secure its production base in the two largest beef-producing countries and establishes its organization to meet the globally-growing need for high quality beef,” the company said. “Through this acquisition, Marubeni aims to become a truly global company which contributes to a steady supply of safe, delicious beef while contributing to the society and local economy.”

A Sun Capital affiliate acquired Creekstone Farms in February 2005. Since then, the private equity firm added to the management team a group of industry veterans, expanded Creekstone’s line of natural products to roughly 22% of production from less than 5% at acquisition and expanded the processor’s international business by more than 800% to approximately 20% of total sales.

Jordan Wadsworth, Sun Capital Partners
Jordan Wadsworth, principal at Sun Capital
“We followed a comprehensive strategy for improving Creekstone Farms,” said Jordan Wadsworth, principal at Sun Capital. “By bringing in a best-in-industry leadership team and expanding our product offerings in line with trends in consumer demand, we were able to improve Creekstone Farms’ business fundamentals and turn a good company into a great one.”