Mizkan Expands Portfolio With Acquisition of Border Foods®

MT. PROSPECT, Ill., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mizkan Americas, a leading condiment manufacturer, has acquired Border Foods, Inc® from Ares Capital.  Border Foods is the nation's oldest and most established processors of Green Chile, Jalapeno and Tomatillo peppers and manufacturers of enchilada sauces for both the branded and private label markets.  Located in Deming, New Mexico, Border Foods began operations in 1972 and is the largest processor of quality Chile peppers in the United States.  Border Foods has demonstrated consistent growth and is the market leader in the industry.  The acquisition builds on parent company Mizkan Group's plans for global expansion of its retail, branded, food ingredients and food services businesses.  It also follows a relationship between Mizkan as a supplier to Border Foods®.

Mizkan Americas is a leading condiment producer in the United States selling across all channels of trade including branded retail, private label retail, food service, and food ingredients.  Mizkan Americas leading retail condiment brands include Holland House® cooking wines, Nakano® rice vinegars and World Harbors marinades and sauces.  Mizkan is a leading Asian condiment supplier in the retail and foodservice channels of trade.  Mizkan's food ingredients division supplies ingredients to numerous well known food manufacturers across several categories.

"We look forward to the continuing growth of Border Foods as this acquisition broadens strategic diversification in this sector," said Craig Smith, President of Mizkan EuroAmericas.  "The Hispanic foods market has seen aggressive growth over the last few years, and is projected to reach over $8 billion in 2011.  We are pleased to now have a position in this growing market with Border Food's quality products."  

"We have known Mizkan for some time and believe our business will fit well into Mizkan's current business and the channels of trade they currently serve.  Mizkan's commitment to quality, customer service and its global reach for product manufacturing, product development and distribution are indeed impressive," said Randy Clark, Border Foods CEO.

"The acquisition of Border Foods by Mizkan Americas is a great fit for both companies. Each company focuses on the market leadership strategy of operational excellence. This strategy has delivered ongoing value to both companies' customers," said Mark Majewski, Mizkan Americas CFO.

During the last five years, Mizkan has acquired the Holland House brand of cooking wines from Mott's LLP, the World Harbors brand of marinades and barbeque sauces, Creole Fermentation of Louisiana and the Gourmet Specialty Division of Imperial Brands Inc.

Winchester Capital initiated the Border Foods acquisition and exclusively advised Mizkan Americas. Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP acted as counsel to Mizkan.

About Mizkan Americas

Mizkan Americas is a subsidiary of Mizkan Group and has a heritage in the condiment business that spans over 200 years.  The company is a leading manufacturer of condiments in the United States with 14 manufacturing plants that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty Asian and food ingredient trade channels. Since 2005, Mizkan Americas has seen dramatic growth due to the acquisition of Holland House® cooking wines, the Specialty Division of Imperial Brands and World Harbors Marinades & Sauces.  Mizkan Americas produces a wide variety of vinegars, mustards, cooking wines, wine reductions, sushi seasoning, jellies, salad dressings, Asian sauces and other liquid condiments. Mizkan Brands include Holland House, NAKANO®, Four Monks®, Barengo®, Mitsukan® and World Harbors®. For more information about Mizkan Americas, please visit www.mizkan.com.

About The Mizkan Group

The Mizkan Group, a global food manufacturer, is the parent company of Mizkan Americas, Inc. The Mizkan Group is a 200-year old privately held international food manufacturer, based in Handa City, Japan.  The Mizkan Group has a stable of well-known international brands, under the "mizkan" umbrella brand and is a leader in the liquid condiment category.  The Mizkan Group has operating facilities around the globe, including Japan, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong & Taiwan.

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SOURCE Mizkan Americas