Wind Point Partners Acquires Palmex

Palmex and Benestar Brands Merge; Wind Point Majority, Highlander Retains Minority; Pretzilla Spun Out

December 11, 2023

Food & Beverage

Wind Point Partners’ portfolio company Palmex has merged with Highlander Partners’ portfolio company Benestar Brands to form a combined North American salty-snack platform, with Wind Point as the majority shareholder and Highlander retaining a significant minority stake. Pretzilla, Benestar’s pretzel bread business, was spun out as a standalone entity owned by Highlander and Pretzilla management; the combined business will be led by Jose Luis Prado and will operate eight facilities with more than 1,400 employees.

Wind Point Partners Invests in Tropicale Foods

December 6, 2019

Food & Beverage

Chicago-based private equity firm Wind Point Partners has invested in Tropicale Foods, a leading U.S. manufacturer of Hispanic frozen novelties under the Helados Mexico brand. The founders will remain involved as Wind Point partners with management to expand the brand, product innovation and geographic distribution.

Tropicale Foods (Wind Point) Acquires Paleteria La Michoacana

January 19, 2021

Food & Beverage

Wind Point Partners’ portfolio company Tropicale Foods has acquired Paleteria La Michoacana (PLM), a manufacturer of Hispanic-inspired frozen novelty products. The deal combines the Helados Mexico and La Michoacana brands, expands manufacturing capacity (including PLM’s 45,000 sq. ft. Modesto facility), and supports marketing, new products, and category growth.

Wind Point Partners Acquires FoodScience Corporation

March 9, 2021

Food & Beverage

Chicago-based private equity firm Wind Point Partners has acquired FoodScience Corporation, a Vermont-based formulator, manufacturer and marketer of human and pet nutritional supplements. Wind Point will partner with management and incumbent CEO Sharon Rossi to grow the Company's branded and private-label business, accelerate eCommerce, and pursue broader growth in human and pet supplement markets.

Wind Point Partners Acquires FreshEdge

October 4, 2022

Food & Beverage

Chicago-based private equity firm Wind Point Partners has acquired FreshEdge, a leading independent fresh food distributor, from Rotunda Capital Partners. FreshEdge’s existing management team will remain in place and Wind Point will provide capital to expand fresh-cut processing capabilities, warehouse space, infrastructure and pursue strategic acquisitions to grow density across the Midwest and Southeast.

Wind Point Partners Acquires Handgards

October 15, 2020

Manufacturing

Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has acquired Handgards, Inc., an El Paso, Texas-based manufacturer and supplier of disposable foodservice safety and hygiene products. Wind Point will partner with Handgards management, appointing Joe Kubicek as CEO, and plans to invest in organic growth and expand the company's manufacturing footprint through additional investments and acquisitions.