Canada-based private-label manufacturer Commercial Bakeries has acquired US better-for-you baked goods maker Imagine Baking for an undisclosed sum.
The US company is a manufacturer of crackers, cookies, biscuits and brittle. Its portfolio is focused on the gluten-free and organic categories.
Commercial Bakeries said: “Imagine Baking provides an opportunity for the combined company to expand its capabilities and capitalise on the growing trend towards private-label baked snacks in the North American cookie and cracker market. “
The move marks the first add-on acquisition for Commercial Bakeries since it was acquired by investment Graham Partners in September last year.
Imagine Baking is headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, where it operates a 114,000-square-foot facility. Commercial said Imagine’s manufacturing lines, multiple packaging capabilities and R&D laboratory will help to unlock additional opportunities for the combined businesses.
Shawn Warren, CEO of Commercial Bakeries, said he is confident that together the two businesses will accelerate towards their goals.
“We are delighted to welcome John and Adrienne O'Donnell [founders of Imagine Baking] and their Imagine Baking team into the expanded business," he said.
Adrienne and John O'Donnell added: "This will be a win-win for both our companies, as we look forward to adding our innovation focus to the strong product offerings at Commercial Bakeries.
“Together we will create a compelling solution for both national brands and private label needs."
Commercial Bakeries, headquartered in Toronto,, is a producer of better-for-you, and seasonal cookies in the private-label sector. It primarily serves the retail and co-manufacturing channels, partnering with many retail grocery chains and brands in North America.
Meanwhile in the US, Sweetmore Bakeries announced earlier this week that it has completed the acquisition of Sweet Eddie’s, a wholesale manufacturer of cinnamon rolls.
The company said the move will add to its “already expansive set of premium products across retail and foodservice channels”.
Sweetmore Bakeries’ CEO David Veenstra said: “Our goal is to serve the very best retail and foodservice customers with high quality baked goods, and by adding the complementary cinnamon roll and yeast-raised categories to our portfolio, along with a great team at Sweet Eddie’s, we will be even better positioned to do so.”
Sweet Eddie’s founder Ed Allen added: “Our partnership with Sweetmore Bakeries will allow us to continue to invest in our facility and team and enable our growth with current and future customers.”
Sweet Eddie’s is a wholesale bakery specialising in the production of cinnamon rolls and other yeast-raised sweet goods for “top retail chains” across the US. The business, founded in 1998, is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sweetmore Bakeries is headquartered in Chicago. It has speciality bakeries with more than 300 employees and four facilities across the US.
Its product portfolio includes biscotti, brownies, dessert bars, cakes and cookies.
