A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 05.12.21

ettain group, a Leading Provider of Talent Solutions, Acquires Bradford & Galt, an IT Staffing and Consulting Firm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – ettain group, a leading provider of talent solutions, announced today that it acquired Bradford & Galt, an IT Staffing and Consulting Firm.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, ettain group has grown to employ nearly 5,000 professionals nationwide with twenty-one offices located in twenty key markets, and a strategic focus on Technology, Digital, Healthcare IT, Professional, and Government solutions. Since 2019, ettain has been a portfolio company of Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“A&M Capital”).

Bradford & Galt is an IT services company that provides customized project and consulting services and EMR go-live support and training. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in St. Louis with branches in Kansas City, Louisville, and Nashville, Bradford & Galt provides customer-centric staffing for clients nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to welcome such a highly respected team!” said Trent Beekman, Chief Executive Officer at ettain group. “Bradford & Galt’s client-centric approach, uncompromising integrity, talented team, and closely aligned solutions are strong complements to ettain group’s vision to deliver an unparalleled level of quality and service.”

About ettain group
ettain group is the Talent Solutions Company that delivers Recruitment Solutions and Managed Solutions in 5 practice areas: Technology, Healthcare IT, Digital, Professional, and Government. From discovery to execution, we help our clients successfully design, develop, and deliver critical technology and business initiatives, from providing individual resources, to staffing and managing programs and projects, to running entire recruitment processes. Founded in 1996, with nearly 5,000 employees and consultants currently at work, we offer opportunities across North America, with 21 offices located in 20 key markets. We are a proud recipient of ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Diamond Award for both Client and Talent Satisfaction for 10 consecutive years, an honor achieved by less than 1% of our industry. For more information, visit www.ettaingroup.com.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. The firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world. A&M Capital combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing, with deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships, making A&M Capital an attractive partner to management teams and business owners. A&M Capital is headquartered in Greenwich, CT with offices in Manhattan Beach, CA and London, England. For more information, visit www.a-mcapital.com.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 02.04.21

ettain group Acquires INT Technologies, a Technology Staffing & Consulting Company

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – ettain group, a leading provider of talent solutions, announced today that it has acquired INT Technologies (“INT”).

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, ettain group has grown to employ nearly 5,000 professionals nationwide with twenty-one offices located in twenty key markets, and a strategic focus on Technology, Digital, Healthcare IT, Professional, and Government solutions. Since 2019, ettain has been a portfolio company of Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“A&M Capital”).

INT is the nation’s largest certified Veteran-Owned Staffing and Consulting Company. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Mesa, AZ, with teams stationed nationwide, INT provides customer-focused, technology staffing for a wide variety of clients.

The acquisition will further strengthen ettain group’s strategic accounts program and geographic footprint. INT’s client-centric approach, high degree of integrity, talented team, and closely aligned solutions are strong complements to ettain group’s vision to deliver an unparalleled level of quality and service.

“We are excited to join forces with such a highly respected team,” said Trent Beekman, Chief Executive Officer of ettain group. “INT brings deep and long-term relationships and a reputation for providing outstanding customer support. The joining of our teams will allow ettain group to continue to lead the industry as a respected and reliable partner and to provide unparalleled service to our customers.”

About ettain group:
ettain group is the Talent Solutions Company that delivers Recruitment Solutions and Managed Solutions in 5 practice areas: Technology, Healthcare IT, Digital, Professional, and Government. From discovery to execution, we help our clients successfully design, develop, and deliver critical technology and business initiatives, from providing individual resources, to staffing and managing programs and projects, to running entire recruitment processes. Founded in 1996, with nearly 5,000 employees and consultants currently at work, we offer opportunities across North America, with 21 offices located in 20 key markets. We are a proud recipient of ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Diamond Award for both Client and Talent Satisfaction for 10 consecutive years, an honor achieved by less than 1% of our industry. For more information, visit www.ettaingroup.com.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital:
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. The firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world. A&M Capital combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing, with deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships, making A&M Capital an attractive partner to management teams and business owners. A&M Capital is headquartered in Greenwich, CT with offices in Manhattan Beach, CA, and London, England. For more information, visit www.a-mcapital.com.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 02.01.21

Crash Champions Expands Footprint to 60 Shops through Continued M&A Growth

Crestwood, IL – Crash Champions (“Crash”), a portfolio company of A&M Capital Opportunities (“AMCO”), a middle-market private equity fund that is part of the Alvarez & Marsal Capital (”AMC”) platform, successfully acquired 21 collision repair shops between August 2020 and January 2021, continuing to execute its robust acquisition strategy in both core and adjacent markets. 

These acquisitions culminate a year of growth for Crash Champions, which began the year with 13 locations in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs. Now the fifth largest independent multi-shop operator (“MSO”) in the United States, Crash operates 60 locations with an established presence in seven states: California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Crash Champions completed its merger with Pacific Elite, the largest family owned operator of collision repair shops (23 total) in California, back in March 2020. 

With its expanded footprint, Crash continues to drive entrenchment of insurance carrier relationships and ongoing DRP additions based on superior service offerings, manufacturer certifications, and equipment. Through these key acquisitions, Crash believes it will also be better positioned to take advantage of the numerous scale benefits of being a larger MSO, including operational efficiencies and cost synergies.

“We look forward to welcoming these exceptional shops — who share our relentless dedication to customer service and operational excellence — under the Crash Champions banner and creating even greater value for our customers, employees, and shareholders,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions.

About Crash Champions:
Crash Champions began in 1999 with a small shop in New Lenox, IL, called New Lenox Auto Body. After over 15 years of owning a small neighborhood collision center, Matt Ebert wanted to bring his vision to towns throughout the Chicagoland area. In 2014, the company’s name was changed to Crash Champions-New Lenox and the brand began to grow. Since 2014, the Crash Champions organization has grown to have numerous collision centers throughout the Chicago market and became a regional leader in collision repair. In 2020, based upon Crash Champions’ historical success, the company began its rapid growth strategy with its first out-of-market acquisition located in Columbus, OH. Today, Crash Champions is the 5th largest collision repair MSO, with 60 total locations across California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. What makes Crash Champions truly different is its employees – each one embodies everything that it takes to be a true Champion. For more information, visit www.crashchampions.com.

About A&M Capital Opportunities:
A&M Capital Opportunities, with assets under management of $500 million, is AMC’s lower middle-market growth strategy, focused on shared control and structured minority equity investments in North America. AMCO partners with business owners and management teams to help recapitalize and grow businesses, leveraging deep operational capabilities and industry relationships to position them for accelerated long-term growth. We have significant experience with all types of transactions, including growth equity, growth buyouts, recapitalizations, and consolidations of fragmented sectors.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital:
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. The privately-owned firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by its strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world. AMC’s business model combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing with the deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships of A&M, making it a uniquely attractive partner to management teams, corporates and business owners.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 01.31.21

Alessandro Luongo joins A&M Capital Europe as a Managing Director

London, UK – A&M Capital Europe (“AMCE”), a London based, operationally focused middle-market private equity firm with assets under management of €650 million, announced that Alessandro Luongo has joined the firm as a Managing Director. Alessandro brings 17 years of private equity and investment banking experience working with companies in the consumer, services, healthcare and industrial sectors in Europe and the United States. At AMCE, Alessandro will be responsible for sourcing and managing European investments across industries.

Prior to joining AMCE, Alessandro spent over three years as a partner at Investindustrial, a European investment group with €11 billion of raised fund capital, based in Lugano, Switzerland. Previously, Alessandro spent eleven years at TowerBrook Capital Partners, a transatlantic investment management firm that has raised in excess of $17.4 billion, in London and New York. He began his career at Merrill Lynch in London in the Mergers & Acquisitions department.

Alessandro holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Bocconi University in Milan and is fluent in Italian, Spanish & English.

About A&M Capital Europe:
AMCE is a London based, operationally focused European middle-market private equity firm. AMCE Fund I, with assets under management of €650 million, is part of Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“AMC”), a global middle-market multi-strategy private equity investment firm with €2.6 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. AMCE maintains a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the world’s largest operationally-focused advisory firms. This strategic relationship enables AMCE to access the world class operational expertise of A&M’s approximately 5,000 professionals and employees across A&M’s 23 European offices and 66 offices globally.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.31.20

A&M Capital Announces Promotions

Greenwich, CT – A&M Capital Partners, A&M Capital’s (“AMC”) flagship middle-market private equity buyout fund, is pleased to announce that Todd Rubin was promoted to Principal and Lucas Zheng was promoted to Senior Associate. A&M Capital Europe, AMC’s European middle-market buyout fund announced that Charles Grimm was promoted to Managing Director and Fernando Rodríguez to Associate Director. A&M Capital Opportunities, AMC’s lower middle-market growth strategy, focused on shared control and structured minority equity investments in North America announced that Aaron Darr was promoted to Vice President and Tommy McThenia was promoted to Senior Associate.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital:
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. The privately-owned firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by its strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world. AMC’s business model combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing with the deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships of A&M, making it a uniquely attractive partner to management teams, corporates and business owners.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.30.20

La Patria Acquires Vigilanza Sevi

Bologna, Italy – La Patria, a portfolio company of A&M Capital Europe (“AMCE”), a London based middle-market private equity firm with assets under management of €650 million, has acquired Vigilanza Sevi S.r.l. (“SEVI” or the “Company”), an Italian provider of alarm and security surveillance services.

Founded in 1981, SEVI is a heritage alarm and security surveillance services provider in Northern Italy offering its primarily SME customer base with subscription based remote alarm monitoring and patrolling services. SEVI has built a trusted brand by offering a high-quality service. The Company has been owned and controlled by the Montorsi family who through the transaction process built a strong relationship with both AMCE and La Patria and came to appreciate the multitude of benefits of being part of a larger organisation.

SEVI is highly complementary to La Patria in terms of positioning, service offering, and geographic presence. The combination will further bolster La Patria’s scale in Northern Italy, allow SEVI to benefit from the targeted communication and technology investments La Patria has made to date, and create a market leading alarm monitoring business known for its service quality and technological capabilities.
AMCE was advised by Equita K Finance with Silverio Davoli as senior advisor.

About La Patria:
Founded in 1950, La Patria is a best-in-class alarm monitoring security firm which differentiates itself through its high value-add technology enabled alarm service, combined with rapid response manned patrolling intervention. La Patria provides B2B (~80%) and B2C (~20%) security solutions to more than 12,000 clients across a wide range of end-markets throughout Northern Italy. Today, La Patria is a leader in the Italian market with a heritage brand which is consistently recognised for its best-in-class service quality and technology. La Patria alongside AMCE will continue to explore partnership opportunities and acquisitions in an effort to create the market leader in alarm monitoring services.

About A&M Capital Europe:
A&M Capital Europe is a London based, operationally focused European middle-market private equity firm. AMCE Fund I, with assets under management of €650 million, is part of Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“AMC”), a global middle-market multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3.0 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies, which maintains a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms. This strategic relationship enables AMC to access the world class operational expertise of A&M’s approximately 5,000 professionals across A&M’s 23 European offices and 66 offices globally.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.29.20

BrightPet Nutrition Group Accelerates Growth with Acquisition of MiracleCorp

Lisbon, Ohio – BrightPet Nutrition Group (“BrightPet”), a portfolio company of A&M Capital Partners II (“AMCP”), a middle-market private equity fund that is part of the A&M Capital Platform announced today that it has acquired Dayton, Ohio-based MiracleCorp and its portfolio of assets. The transaction will bring together MiracleCorp’s impressive portfolio of trusted brands with BrightPet’s extensive production capabilities and roster of brands.

“Over the past 40 years, MiracleCorp has built a complete line of innovative, solutions-driven products and accessories for pets and prized animals – including our storied Stewart® brand of high-quality, nutritious and flavorful treats,” said William Sherk, Jr., CEO of MiracleCorp. “The complementary nature of both companies’ offerings will create significant synergies, especially in the freeze-dried segment of pet food, toppers and treats.”

MiracleCorp’s brands will strengthen BrightPet’s position in the pet industry by expanding its portfolio of company-owned, super-premium pet food and treat brands. The acquisition will also enable BrightPet to add additional manufacturing capabilities in Dayton, Ohio to its existing operations in Lisbon, Ohio; Sherburne, New York and Kiel, Wisconsin.

“BrightPet has long admired MiracleCorp’s business, and this acquisition is a recognition of its proven track record of success and commitment to excellence,” said Matthew Golladay, CEO of BrightPet Nutrition Group. “Over the past few years, we have been working hard to evolve the business that my family founded in 1978. Following our recent purchase of pet treat manufacturer Phoebe Pet Products in Kiel, Wisconsin, BrightPet has seen tremendous growth – and we are excited to continue building on our momentum with the MiracleCorp team. Importantly, we believe that the addition of MiracleCorp will create a leader in kibble and freeze dried pet food and treats, allowing us to offer our customers with a robust product offering of kibble, kibble with inclusions, freeze dried treats, baked treats and toppers as well as other pet wellness products.”

“We believe that the combination of BrightPet and MiracleCorp will add substantial value to a leader in the rapidly expanding pet food and treat industry,” said Ryan McCarthy, Partner at A&M Capital Partners (“AMCP”). “With robust manufacturing capabilities, product offerings and complementary unique brands under the BrightPet portfolio, we expect that the transaction will significantly expand the company’s offerings to its customer base. The AMCP team believes that the company is now poised to supercharge its growth and is in a position to continue to increase its market share through investments in organic growth and other strategic add-on acquisitions. We are looking forward to the many more exciting developments on the horizon for BrightPet.”

Together the combined company will have an impressive portfolio of brands, including BrightPet’s Blackwood®, Adirondack® and By Nature®, as well as MiracleCorp’s freeze-dried and other pet treats sold under the Stewart® brand. The acquisition also expands BrightPet’s footprint in the pet industry with the addition of MiracleCorp’s other brands that include Miracle Care®, Hamilton®, ARC Veterinary Products and Group Summit flooring products.

About BrightPet:
Headquartered in Lisbon, Ohio, BrightPet manufactures and distributes pet food and treats for U.S. and international markets. BrightPet serves as the parent company for Blackwood®, Adirondack® and By Nature® brands along with contract manufacturers, Ohio Pet Foods, BNG Phoebe and Southern Tier Pet Nutrition. Using only top-of-the-line ingredients in its recipes and relying on state-of-the-art American manufacturing operations, BrightPet delivers quality in every recipe produced. For more information about BrightPet, visit brightpetnutrition.com.

About MiracleCorp™:
MiracleCorp is a leading consumer brands company serving companion animal needs and their owners with a history of excellence spanning 40 years. We improve the human-animal bond by offering a complete line of innovative, solutions driven products and accessories for pets and prized animals. Our brands include Stewart®, Hamilton® and Miracle Care™, which includes Kwik Stop®, R-7®, Miracle Coat® and QuickFinder®. For more information on MiracleCorp and its wholly owned subsidiaries, visit miraclecorp.com.

About A&M Capital Partners:
A&M Capital Partners is Alvarez & Marsal Capital’s flagship investment strategy focused on middle-market control transactions in North America with total assets under management of $1.8 billion. AMCP partners with founders, corporates and management teams, providing the capital and strategic assistance that we believe is required to take businesses to the next level of success. AMCP invests in businesses across a wide range of sectors including Business Services, Industrials, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Consumer & Retail, Government Services, Financial Services and Energy Services.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital:
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies. The privately-owned firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by its strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world. AMC’s business model combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing with the deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships of A&M, making it a uniquely attractive partner to management teams, corporates, and business owners.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.28.20

A&M Capital Opportunities Creates Magnolia Wash Holdings via combination of Express Wash and Oasis Express

Charlotte, NC – A&M Capital Opportunities (“AMCO”) has formed Magnolia Wash Holdings (“Magnolia” or the “Company”), a 17-location premium conveyor car wash operator in the Southeast U.S., via the combination of Express Wash (“Express”) and Oasis Express (“Oasis”). AMCO completed an investment in Express on November 25th, 2020 in partnership with Express Wash co-founders, Frank Bennett and Brooks Moye. Express subsequently acquired Oasis on December 28th, 2020. The Company will be headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

The creation of Magnolia establishes a new leading platform in the express car wash industry in the Southeast U.S. Magnolia currently operates seven locations in Florida, seven in Georgia, and three in North Carolina. Magnolia leverages multiple consumer-facing brands across its local markets, including Camel Premium Express, Wave Wash, Oasis Express, and Extreme Express. The Company prides itself on delivering consumers and teammates a premium on-premise experience, including its Unlimited Fast Pass Membership Program, free towels, free vacuums, and free mat washing stations. We believe that Magnolia is well positioned to capitalize on rapid growth within the express car wash industry via a multi-pronged acquisition and greenfield expansion strategy, and is actively developing multiple greenfield sites.

“We believe the formation of Magnolia will create a leading regional player in the Southeast within the express car wash market, which we are excited to build upon through greenfield developments and future acquisition opportunities” said Sean Epps, a Partner of AMCO. “We are proud to partner with Frank and Brooks to continue their track record of successful greenfield development, high quality operations, and best-in-class customer service.”

“We are excited to be partnering with AMCO to continue to execute our growth strategy and expand within the Southeast,” said Frank Bennett, Co-Founder of Express. “AMCO shares a similar culture, values and strategic vision that Brooks and I have, and brings additional operational and financial resources to accelerate our growth. We believe the express wash market presents a tremendous opportunity and Oasis represents a transformational opportunity to accelerate our objectives. We believe we have the right team and partner with AMCO to capitalize on the opportunities ahead of us.”

“After several decades in the car wash industry, I have recently reached a transition point in my career. My partners and I sought out an acquisition partner for Oasis that would honor the legacy we have built,” said Zeev Josman, an Oasis shareholder. “As I have gotten to know Frank and Brooks over the past several years, their high personal character, operational excellence, and commitment to their employees made them an easy choice to be the next stewards of Oasis.”

About Magnolia Wash Holdings:
Magnolia Wash Holdings operates 17 express car washes in the Southeast U.S. under a family of four brands: Camel Premium Express, Wave Wash, Oasis Express, and Extreme Express. With locations in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, Magnolia is focused on building upon its established market position in the Southeast. Magnolia prides itself on delivering consumers and teammates a premium on-premise experience, including its Unlimited Fast Pass Membership Program, free towels, free vacuums, and free mat washing stations. The Company was founded by Frank Bennett and Brooks Moye in 2014 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About A&M Capital Opportunities:
A&M Capital Opportunities (“AMCO”), with assets under management of approximately $500 million, is Alvarez & Marsal Capital’s lower middle-market growth strategy, focused on shared control and structured minority equity investments in North America. AMCO partners with business owners and management teams to help recapitalize and grow businesses, leveraging deep operational capabilities and industry relationships to position them for accelerated long-term growth. AMCO has significant experience with all types of transactions, including growth equity, growth buyouts, recapitalizations, and consolidations of fragmented sectors.

About Alvarez & Marsal Capital:
Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in total assets under management across four funds and three investment strategies.  The privately-owned firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by its strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world.  AMC’s business model combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing with the deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships of A&M, making it a uniquely attractive partner to management teams, corporates and business owners.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.23.20

GS Foods Group Acquires Hayes Distributing

ONTARIO, CA – GS Foods Group, Inc. (“GS Foods”), a family of specialized food distribution companies owned by affiliates of Highview Capital, LLC (“Highview”) and A&M Capital Partners (“AMCP”), today announced the acquisition of Hayes Distributing (“Hayes”). The partnership will combine GS Foods’ national nutrition expertise with family owned and operated Hayes to deepen their capabilities and commitment to customers.

As one of the nation’s largest school nutrition providers serving more than 3,500 K-12 schools throughout the United States, GS Foods’ acquisition of Hayes will enhance the company’s presence in Northern California and extend its unparalleled logistic capabilities, commodity expertise, online offerings and product assortment to meet and exceed the needs of the local school community and beyond.

“Integrating Hayes Distributing – a company that shares our core values and commitment to school nutrition – is an important step in GS Foods’ continued effort to establish a national nutrition supply system amid a highly-fragmented, yet absolutely critical industry,” said Sean Leer, CEO of GS Foods. “Now more than ever, we see the value in creating a coordinated food distribution system to meet the needs of customers across the country. Combining with like-minded, well-established companies that allow us to extend our expertise, expand our footprint and further benefit new communities is a key part of meeting this goal.”

Since 1988, Hayes has served Northern California with high quality foods and beverages. With a deep understanding of the state regulations, nutritional standards and the needs of the region, Hayes is one of the leading distributors for schools and vending companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Operating for over three decades, Hayes Distributing has local experience and credibility few companies can match. That is why it was so important that we combined with a partner who shares our commitment to school nutrition and top-notch customer service,” said Jamie Edman, owner of Hayes Distributing. “We are proud to integrate with GS Foods today, who I know will carry these values forward to continue serving our community.”

GS Foods expects to continue to serve the Northern California customer base as it works to ensure students nationwide have access to fresh, wholesome meals. With preparations in place, the transition is expected to be seamless as Hayes continues to operate from its current facilities until it transitions to GS Foods’ facility in Dixon, CA.

“GS Foods continues to demonstrate its unmatched distribution capabilities while ensuring customer service and product quality are always the number one priority,” said Steve Russell, Managing Director and Sr. Portfolio Manager of Highview. “Local partnerships with companies like Hayes allow GS Foods to grow and expand its operations – and bring its expertise to new markets – all while working to establish a much-needed national nutrition supply system.”

About GS Foods
GS Foods is a family of specialized foodservice distribution companies. GS Foods uses its sophisticated network of facilities to provide trusted food distribution and product solutions to specialized foodservice segments, including education, corrections, non-profit, business & industry and healthcare. GS Foods’ independent subsidiaries, Good Source Solutions, Inc. and Gold Star Foods, Inc., collectively serve over 8,000 customers nationwide. GS Foods is owned by affiliates of Highview Capital, LLC and A&M Capital Partners.

About A&M Capital Partners
A&M Capital Partners is Alvarez & Marsal Capital’s flagship investment strategy focused on middle-market control transactions in North America with total assets under management of approximately $1.8 billion. AMCP partners with founders, corporates and management teams, providing the capital and strategic assistance that we believe is required to take businesses to the next level of success. AMCP invests in businesses across a wide range of sectors including Business Services, Industrials, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Consumer & Retail, Government Services, Financial Services and Energy Services. More broadly, Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3.0 billion in total assets under management across three investment strategies, which maintains a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal, one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world.

A&M CAPITAL PARTNERS | 12.17.20

GS Foods Group Acquires Fresno Produce

ONTARIO, CA – GS Foods Group, Inc. (“GS Foods”), a leading specialized food distributor owned by affiliates of Highview Capital, LLC (“Highview”) and A&M Capital Partners (“AMCP”), today announced the acquisition of family-owned and operated produce supplier, Fresno Produce, Co. (“Fresno Produce”). The partnership will integrate GS Foods’ national nutrition expertise — including procurement, distribution, logistics and sophisticated service capabilities — with a local operation to continue providing fresh, safe and nutritious meals to students and families in the Fresno, CA area.

Headquartered in California, GS Foods encompasses a family of specialized foodservice distribution companies including Gold Star Foods, one of the nation’s largest K-12 school nutrition providers — serving 3,500 K-12 schools throughout the United States. With more than 50 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of the complex and ever-evolving regulatory environment governing child nutrition programs, the company serves as a trusted partner able to meet the unique needs of its customers nationally.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role school nutrition programs play in feeding our communities, yet today the specialized foodservice distribution industry remains highly fragmented,” said Sean Leer, CEO of GS Foods. “By partnering with like-minded companies such as Fresno Produce, GS Foods expands the reach of our expertise and takes another key step in establishing a coordinated, national school nutrition supply system. This allows us to better meet the diverse and increasing needs of our customers in California and beyond.”

Fresno Produce was established in 1990 by David Miller and his wife Laura. The family-owned distributor is committed to serving students in local school districts including the Fresno Unified School District, one of their first and founding customers. GS Foods will continue serving all 100 schools and over 73,000 students that Fresno Produce serves today.

“GS Foods’ exceptional leadership team, advanced facilities, proprietary technology and unique service offerings are simply unmatched in school nutrition,” said David Miller, owner and president of Fresno Produce. “We are proud to partner with a dedicated company who shares our commitment to meeting the specialized needs of each and every community it serves and who will bring known expertise to our region.”

GS Foods will continue to serve the Fresno community as it works to ensure students and families nationwide have access to high-quality, wholesome meals they rely on each day.

“We continue to be impressed by GS Foods’ distribution capabilities and presence within the K-12 market, delivering outstanding customer service and product quality,” said Jack McCarthy, Sr. Managing Director and Founder of A&M Capital Partners. “We believe that partnering with local and family-owned companies like Fresno Produce illustrates how GS Foods continues to expand its footprint and pioneer the establishment of a national supply system.”

About GS Foods
GS Foods is a family of specialized foodservice distribution companies. GS Foods uses its sophisticated network of facilities to provide trusted food distribution and product solutions to specialized foodservice segments, including education, corrections, non-profit, business & industry and healthcare. GS Foods’ independent subsidiaries, Good Source Solutions, Inc. and Gold Star Foods, Inc., collectively serve over 8,000 customers nationwide. GS Foods is owned by affiliates of Highview Capital, LLC and A&M Capital Partners.

About A&M Capital Partners
A&M Capital Partners is Alvarez & Marsal Capital’s flagship investment strategy focused on middle-market control transactions in North America with total assets under management of approximately $1.8 billion. AMCP partners with founders, corporates and management teams, providing the capital and strategic assistance that we believe is required to take businesses to the next level of success. AMCP invests in businesses across a wide range of sectors including Business Services, Industrials, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Consumer & Retail, Government Services, Financial Services and Energy Services. More broadly, Alvarez & Marsal Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3.0 billion in total assets under management across three investment strategies, which maintains a strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal, one of the largest operationally-focused advisory firms in the world.