NAPERVILLE, ILL. — KeHE Distributors, L.L.C. has agreed to acquire Brea, Calif.-based Nature’s Best, a distributor of health and natural food products. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
According to KeHE, the combination of resources will expand the company’s national distribution capabilities, broaden its natural and organic expertise, and enhance its distribution solution across all food retail channels.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nature’s Best into the KeHE family,” said Brandon Barnholt, president and chief executive officer of KeHe. “The addition of this great group of people and long standing tradition of service fits perfectly into our operations. This combination positions KeHE to fulfill our vision of being the preferred supply chain partner in the natural, specialty and fresh products marketplace in North America.”
Mr. Barnholt said Nature’s Best’s two LEED Gold Certified warehouses, warehouse management system and Cadia product line will be “significant and immediate” enhancements to KeHE’s value proposition.
“We are highly focused on continuing the tradition of service excellence the Nature’s Best group of world class independent and chain customers have come to expect,” he said.
Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. BMO Capital Markets is acting as exclusive financial adviser and Winston & Strawn LLP is acting as legal adviser to KeHE in connection with this transaction.
KeHE Distributors, L.L.C. provides natural and organic, specialty and gourmet, international and multicultural and fresh products to natural food stores, chain grocery stores, independent grocery stores and other specialty product retailers throughout North America. KeHE is an employee-owned company with more than 3,500 employees in the United States and Canada.
Organic pioneers Gladys and Walter Lindberg opened the doors to a retail nutrition store in Los Angeles in 1949. The store grew into a chain that was considered the first health food “superstore” in Southern California. Acquiring Nature’s Best in 1969, the family has grown the company into the largest privately owned wholesaler-distributor of health and natural food products in the country.