Huron Capital's Coffee Platform Ronnoco Completes Second Add-on

DETROIT, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Huron Capital Partners LLC (Huron) announced today that its portfolio company, Ronnoco Coffee (Ronnoco), of St. Louis, MO, has acquired Henderson Coffee Corporation (Henderson).  Based in Muskogee, OK, Henderson manufactures and distributes coffee, tea, and related products and equipment to restaurants, casinos and convenience stores throughout the state of Oklahoma and into the neighboring states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas.

"Henderson Coffee has a long, rich tradition of providing quality products and service to customers and coffee lovers throughout Oklahoma," said Ronnoco Coffee Chief Executive Officer Scott Meader.  "We are excited about working with the exceptional talent at Henderson who have helped to make the company so successful." 

Henderson Coffee Corporation was founded in 1923 and until today had been owned by Mark Plaster and Mark Truitt. Ronnoco has invested in Henderson to accelerate its growth and continue its legacy of superior coffee and superior service.  Plaster and Truitt have agreed to stay on with Ronnoco and will continue to be valuable leaders in the company, and the Henderson brand of coffee will continue to be sold.

Huron originally invested in Ronnoco in July 2012, and Henderson represents the second add-on investment to the Ronnoco platform, after Ronnoco acquired International Blends earlier this year.

"With this second add-on acquisition in 2013, Ronnoco continues to grow its geographic reach and expand its product lines," added Huron Partner John Higgins.  "We are excited about working with the Ronnoco team to pursue additional growth initiatives."  

About Huron Capital Partners
Huron Capital is an operationally-focused private equity firm that seeks to grow lower middle-market companies through customized buy-and-build investments. Huron pursues opportunities where it can help companies reach their full potential by combining its operational approach, substantial capital base, and transaction experience with proven operating executives.  Founded in 1999, Huron has raised over $1.1 billion in capital through four committed private equity funds and its portfolio companies have employed over 7,500 people throughout North America.  With offices in Detroit and Toronto, Huron sponsors recapitalizations, family succession transactions, market-entry strategies, corporate carve-outs, and management buyouts of companies having revenues up to $200 million.  Huron has broad investment discretion and has invested in a variety of geographies and industry sectors.  For more information, please visit www.huroncapital.com.

About Ronnoco Coffee
Ronnoco Coffee roasts, blends, grinds, packages, and distributes premium-quality coffee and teas under four primary brands: Ronnoco, Seattle Roast, Wild Horse Creek, and Camellia.  The company provides a variety of other beverages such as cappuccino, hot chocolate, and smoothies, and coffee-related products such as flavoring syrups and condiments.  Ronnoco supplies its products directly to its convenience store, foodservice, and office customers, as well as through a network of third-party distributors throughout 16 Midwestern States, with leading market share in major cities including St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Omaha, Des Moines, and Minneapolis.  For more information, please visit www.ronnoco.com.

SOURCE Huron Capital Partners