Fresh-cut vegetable producer Apio Inc. has acquired GreenLine Foods Inc. from The Riverside Co., a global private equity firm.
Perrysburg, Ohio-based GreenLine Foods is a leading processor and marketer of value-added, fresh-cut green beans in North America, according to Apio, which is based in Guadalupe, Calif.
“U.S. consumer demand for the convenience of fresh-cut green beans that have been pre-washed, trimmed and are ready to cook is growing,” Apio said in a statement. “Greenline is well prepared to support this growing market with strong sourcing capabilities and a national distribution network to ensure year-round supply of high quality product to its customers.”
With the acquisition, Apio grows its line of fresh-cut vegetables to include the GreenLine brand of value-added green bean products, which are added to its existing line of Eat Smart® brand value-added bag and tray vegetables.
GreenLine’s primary production facilities are located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and Hanover, Pa. Additional production facilities are located in Vero Beach, Fla., and Pico Rivera, Calif., with distribution centers in New York and South Carolina.
The addition of GreenLine’s significant footprint on the East Coast and dedicated fleet of privately owned trucks is a strong complement to Apio’s California base of operations.
Apio is a subsidiary of Landec Corp., a Menlo Park, Calif.-based materials science company.
“It is unique to find two companies so well suited for each other,” said Ron Midyett, CEO of Apio. “The GreenLine team brings deep operational, sourcing and transportation expertise, as well as solid industry relationships. They have built a strong brand through their commitment to high quality products and customer service. Apio is pleased to expand our offering to include a wide range of products from two leading brands. We are committed to maintaining the high levels of quality and service that our customers have come to expect from both organizations.”
“GreenLine is excited to become a part of the Apio family,” said Jeff Rettig, SVP of operations at GreenLine. “Apio’s industry leadership, strong new product innovation capabilities and investment in packaging technologies will create new opportunities for growth for the GreenLine brand. The GreenLine team looks forward to the exciting benefits that this union can bring to our customers.”
In time, Apio will be working toward creating the benefits of single order entry and streamlined transportation options.
Apio was founded in 1979 by five growers of celery in the Santa Maria Valley in the central coastal region of California.
