Gourmet News

Nutritional Growth Solutions to Produce, Distribute The Healthy Chef in North America

Published July 29, 2024

Nutritional Growth Solutions Limited, a U.S.-based health, nutrition, and wellness company, has entered into an exclusive Intellectual Property License Agreement with The Healthy Chef Pty Ltd. to exclusively produce and distribute The Healthy Chef products in the United States and Canada.

The Healthy Chef was founded in Australia in 2006 by Teresa Cutter, a nutritionist, wellness coach and celebrity chef, with the premium brand reflecting her belief that wholefood nutrition is essential for optimal health and wellbeing. The Healthy Chef products are primarily sold through their Direct-To-Consumer eCommerce platform with a loyal Australian customer base, underpinned by a rich library of product innovation, content, cookbooks, recipes, and intellectual property, including seven U.S. trademarks.

Stephen Turner, NGS CEO and managing director, commented on signing the exclusive IP License Agreement: “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with The Healthy Chef in North America, marking a pivotal step-change for the company. This milestone signifies our first IP licensing agreement to partner with synergistic Australian brands poised for success in the U.S. marketplace. This enhanced, capital light model leverages our existing team expertise, infrastructure and distribution platforms in the U.S., enabling the business to scale rapidly without needing additional capital or significant increases in corporate costs.”

The exclusive IP Licence will enable NGS to maximise its USA infrastructure and significantly fast track the path to positive cashflow and profitability with increased scale. The Healthy Chef provides a cornerstone comprehensive branded business that is:

Highly complementary to the existing NGS business and Healthy Heights brand portfolio
Synergistic opportunities to scale with operational cost optimization
Increased quality revenue expected to be above US$1 million in the first year of trading
High margin and profit accretive
Combined online and offline distribution network in the USA with cross-selling opportunities
Capable of seamless transition and integration with current USA operational model
No significant additional corporate costs to grow the business at scale

NGS will engage Cutter as a consultant to provide the Company with services such as brand ambassadorship, and product and recipe development under a consulting services deed.

Cutter said, “This strategic partnership with an industry leader in nutrition offers an unrivaled opportunity for The Healthy Chef brand to reach millions more consumers seeking health and wellness products. Both businesses share a common vision regarding the future of food, health and wellbeing. I look forward to partnering with NGS in North America to represent and grow this amazing brand.”

The Healthy Chef is a premium producer of wellness and health products under the brand The Healthy Chef with a loyal customer base in Australia and significant library of product innovation, content and intellectual property generated over 17 years.

The Healthy Chef premium range of functional food products are proudly made in Australia from the purest wholefood ingredients with science-based formulations to deliver maximum health impact, and are free from gluten, fillers and sugar without compromising on taste.

Nutritional Growth Solutions is a U.S.-based health, nutrition, and wellness company. NGS develops, produces and sells clinically tested nutritional supplement formula for children following 20 years of medical research into pediatric nutrition at Schneider Children’s Medical Centre, Israel’s largest pediatric hospital. The nutritional supplements market has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, but most attention has been focused on adult users and children under three years of age. The three to twelve-year-old consumers represent a larger market opportunity and NGS is highly differentiated from its competitors with clinically tested products and an expanding product portfolio to capture this market opportunity.

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Imperial Dade Acquires Arizona’s Excell Direct

Published July 29, 2024

Imperial Dade, a leading North American distributor of foodservice packaging supplies, industrial products, and janitorial supplies, has acquired Excell Direct, LLC. The transaction represents the 91st acquisition for Imperial Dade under the leadership of Robert and Jason Tillis, chairman and CEO of Imperial Dade, respectively. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Founded by Stewart and Crystal Leary, their tireless work ethic and customer first approach has helped Excell become a premier distributor of foodservice and janitorial products in Arizona. The company commands an exceptional reputation in the market and operates with the same hyper focus on customer service as it had when it was founded. By leveraging Imperial Dade’s market leading platform, Excell’s customers can expect the same exceptional customized service coupled with an even diversified offering of products and solutions.

“I enthusiastically welcome Stewart, Crystal and the entire Excell family to Imperial Dade. This is a perfect fit without our growing organization and we are excited for this next chapter of profitable growth,” said Robert Tillis. “Imperial Dade continues to expand its presence in Arizona, and we are looking forward to continuing together in our mission to organically grow and provide unmatched customer service across North America,” said Jason Tillis.

“On behalf of Excell Direct, we are thrilled to be part of Imperial Dade. They share the same relentless focus on delivering the best service and product offering to the customer. We look forward to the next chapter together and strengthening our vendor relationships,” said Stewart Leary, CEO & president of Excell Direct.

Founded in 1935, Imperial Dade serves more than 120,000 customers across North America. Since Chairman Robert Tillis and CEO Jason Tillis assumed their roles in 2007, the company has grown both organically and through acquisitions to become a leader in the foodservice, packaging and janitorial supplies industry. For additional information, visit www.imperialdade.com.

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Southern Glazer’s to Acquire Horizon Beverage Group

Published July 29, 2024

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits — the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol— plans to acquire Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors. The deal includes all of Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as their wine, spirits, and beer portfolio, and makes these two states the 46^th and 47^th markets in Southern Glazer’s U.S. footprint, in addition to Canada and the Caribbean.

Upon completion of the acquisition, the business will operate under the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island names, respectively. The current Horizon leadership teams in both states will continue leading operations in those markets and will work closely with Southern Glazer’s East Region President Scott Oppenheimer. All of Horizon’s family members and leadership team, including Co-Chairmen Bob Epstein and Jim Rubenstein, will also continue in their current roles to help ensure a smooth transition for all employees, suppliers, and customers.

“The Epstein and Rubenstein families have spent four generations building an exceptional business and legacy in New England that we have admired for years,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “Horizon’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence, along with commitments to social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity, create an ideal match for Southern Glazer’s business and culture. We expect all existing and new supplier partners, as well as customers, to benefit from our two companies’ strengths and expertise, and look forward to building on the great foundation already established in the valuable Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.”

Formed in 1933, Horizon has grown to be one of the largest beverage alcohol distributors in New England, with long-standing supplier relationships with some of the world’s top beer, wine and spirits brands. The company currently employs more than 600 people, operates 800,000 square feet of warehouse space and has a fleet of nearly 100 delivery vehicles.

Added Epstein, “We have full confidence in a seamless transition for all of Horizon’s valued team members and partners. I have enjoyed a more than 50-year relationship with the Chaplin family. Southern Glazer’s is the ideal partner with the size, scale and strength to support our employees well into the future, and to maintain our promise of high-quality service for customers and suppliers in New England.”

“Horizon’s trading partners will gain access to Southern Glazer’s world-class commercial, supply chain, digital, and data insights capabilities,” said Rubenstein. “In addition, joining the broader Southern Glazer’s family provides our talented and passionate employees even greater skill development and career growth opportunities. I trust this next step in our journey will be incredibly positive for all parties.”

The deal is expected to close upon regulatory approval.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.

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