Cannae Holdings and KDSA to Acquire Majority Stake in The Watkins Company

Cannae Holdings Acquires Minority Stake in JANA Partners

February 21, 2024

Financial Services

Cannae Holdings entered a strategic partnership with activist investment firm JANA Partners by acquiring a minority equity stake from JANA's principals in exchange for 1.85 million shares of Cannae common stock and $18.3 million in cash. Cannae also committed to invest at least $50 million into JANA funds and will partner with JANA to source control acquisitions and expand its industry operator network; the transaction includes voting arrangements and customary lock-ups.

The Kraft Heinz Company Acquires Majority Stake in Just Spices

April 26, 2023

Food & Beverage

The Kraft Heinz Company agreed to acquire an 85% stake in Germany-based Just Spices GmbH, with the remaining 15% retained by its three founders. The deal was designed to accelerate Kraft Heinz’s international “Taste Elevation” and strengthen its technology-enabled direct-to-consumer growth.

Castik Capital Acquires Majority Stake in WATR Group

November 27, 2024

Environmental Services

Funds managed by Castik Capital S.à r.l. have agreed to acquire a majority stake in WATR Group from funds advised by Borromin Capital. WATR Group’s CEO Steffen Saur and the executive team will remain and invest alongside Castik as the company pursues capacity expansion, capability development in water treatment services and potential geographic growth in Germany and the Netherlands.

KDSA Investment Partners Acquires Williams Distributors

June 18, 2025

Food & Beverage

KDSA Investment Partners, in partnership with Greyrock Capital Group, has acquired Spokane-based Williams Distributors, the largest independent direct-store-delivery (DSD) distributor of ice cream and frozen foods in the Northwest. KDSA named Tim Valdez as CEO, will support infrastructure and expansion investments, and Tony Williams — the former owner — will remain as President through year-end and serve as an advisor.

Astara Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Wyandot Snacks

January 18, 2023

Food & Beverage

Astara Capital Partners has completed an investment in Wyandot Snacks, acquiring a majority stake in the Marion, Ohio-based contract manufacturer of snack foods and cereals. The Brown family will transition ownership while CEO Dewey Armstrong remains in place; Astara said the investment will position Wyandot to be debt-free and provide strategic, operational and financial resources to accelerate growth.

Stone Canyon Industries Holdings Acquires Kissner Group Holdings

February 3, 2020

Manufacturing

Stone Canyon Industries Holdings LLC agreed to acquire Kissner Group Holdings LP, a leading North American producer and supplier of rock, specialty and evaporated salt. Sellers included Metalmark Capital Holdings LLC and Silvertree-KMC II LP; terms were not disclosed in the initial announcement and the deal subsequently closed at approximately $2.0 billion.