Seneca Foods Corporation announced June 21 that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Unilink LLC and its affiliated company, Lebanon Valley Cold Storage LP, which primarily sell frozen fruits and vegetables in the packaged private label retail and food service channels.
Unilink, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Food Group LLC. It is headquartered in Lebanon, Pa. Fiscal 2009 revenues were approximately $65 million.
"We believe Unilink is an excellent fit for Seneca as we expand our frozen private label and food service businesses. The company has been growing very rapidly over the past several years and operates a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2008," stated Kraig Kayser, Seneca Foods' president and CEO.
"Unilink has developed a market presence in the frozen fruit and vegetable business due to the hard work of its employees. Our company will fit well into the Seneca Foods structure and we believe both companies will benefit from the relationship," stated Gary Gregory, Unilink, LLC's president.
The acquisition remains subject to both the signing of a definitive agreement and to customary closing conditions. It is expected that the acquisition will be completed within the next four weeks.
About Unilink LLC and Lebanon Valley Cold Storage LP
Unilink LLC and Lebanon Valley Cold Storage LP are privately held companies. Unilink was founded in May 2003 and distributes frozen products to customers located in the eastern United States. Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LP operates a cold storage facility in Lebanon, Pa.
About Seneca Foods Corporation
Seneca Foods is one of the country's largest processors of canned fruits and vegetables with manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States. Its products are sold under the Libby's, Aunt Nellie's Farm Kitchen, Stokely's, READ, and Seneca labels as well as through the private label and industrial markets. In addition, under an alliance with General Mills Operations LLC, a successor to the Pillsbury Company and a subsidiary of General Mills Inc., Seneca produces canned and frozen vegetables, which are sold by General Mills Operations LLC under the Green Giant label.
