US-based Fortune International, an importer, processor and distributor of seafood and meat products, has acquired local peer Neesvig’s for an undisclosed sum.

Illinois-headquartered Fortune said the deal strengthens its presence in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa and provides it with a USDA meat processing facility.

Neesvig’s, based in Windsor, Wisconsin, also operates Empire Fish, a retail store and a “state-of-the-art” fulfilment operation in its home state.

Fortune said the deal will allow it to better service the upper Midwest region with expanded distribution capabilities, and the rest of the nation through the fulfilment operation, which specialises in direct-to-consumer, e-commerce business.

Sean O’Scannlain, Fortune’s president and CEO, said: “We are excited to strengthen our meat programme with our own processing facility and continue to grow the fulfilment operation with additional locations.” 

Founded in 1913 and owned by Jim and Margaret Meyer since 1988, Neesvig’s is a distributor of Certified Angus beef and has partnerships with producers including Niman Ranch and Bell & Evans. 

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Commenting on the sale of the business, James Meyer, CEO of Neesvig’s, said: “Margaret and I could not have selected a better partner than Fortune Fish to carry on the proud history of Neesvig’s.

“We know that we are leaving the company in great hands with Sean and his team and we look forward to watching the companies prosper in the years to come.”

Neesvig’s represents Fortune International’s ninth – and largest – transaction since launching its acquisition strategy in 2012. The strategy has been further accelerated since Fortune entered into a partnership in 2020 with asset manager Investcorp.

Fortune’s previous acquisitions include Classic Provisions in 2019 and Seattle Fish this year.

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