US-based Ruiz Food Products, the owner of the El Monterey Mexican food brand, has acquired contract manufacturer Culinary International.
Dinuba, California-based Ruiz Food Products, which supplies frozen products to retail, foodservice and the hospitality channels, has struck the deal for the ready-to-eat frozen and chilled Mexican foods business for an undisclosed sum.
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Culinary International CEO Robert Sabahat will remain with the private-label company, along with director of operations Sean Minooei. Just Food has approached Ruiz Food Products to clarify if there any potential job losses among the co-manufacturer’s staff.
Ruiz Food Products inherits a 75,000 square-feet manufacturing facility in Vernon, California, and a more than 43,000 square-feet cold storage plant as part of the “assets” acquired, according to a statement. The business makes own-label Mexican appetisers, entrees and tortillas for US retailers and co-manufactures for Mexican food producers.
Dan Antonelli, the president and CEO of Ruiz Food Products, which was co-founded in 1964 by Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis, said Culinary International has been supplying his business for more than six years.
“Their expertise in producing retail and foodservice frozen Mexican products will enhance our capacity for flexible manufacturing on the West Coast,” Antonelli added. “Our commitment to our customers is paramount to our operations and this acquisition will enhance our customer service levels as we leverage our core values of innovation, safety, quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect.”
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By GlobalDataRuiz Food Products’ other brands include Artisan Bistro, Plantivore and Tornados. The company employs more than 4,000 staff across five plants.
Robert Sabahat, the CEO of Culinary International said: “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Ruiz Foods as a co-manufacturer for some of their most important products. Our mutual commitment to food safety and quality will only serve to reinforce their core values and commitments to customer service.”
