KeHE Acquires Nature’s Best

KeHE Distributors LLC , based in Naperville, Ill., has agreed to acquire Nature’s Best – a California-based distributor of health and natural food products. According to the company, the combined resources of KeHE and Nature’s Best will expand its national distribution capabilities, broaden its natural and organic expertise, and enhance distribution solutions across all food retail channels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nature’s Best into the KeHE family,” stated Brandon Barnholt, KeHE’s president and chief executive officer. “The addition of this great group of people and long-standing tradition of service fits perfectly into our operations.”

Barnholt continued, “Nature’s Best two LEED Gold Certified warehouses, state-of-the-art warehouse management system, and highly respected Cadia product line will be significant and immediate enhancements to our value proposition. Additionally, we are highly focused on continuing the tradition of service excellence the Nature’s Best group of world-class independent and chain customers have come to expect.”

Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. BMO Capital Markets is acting as exclusive financial adviser, and Winston & Strawn LLP is acting as legal adviser to KeHE in connection with this transaction.

KeHE Distributors provides natural and organic, specialty and gourmet, international and multicultural, and fresh products to natural food stores, chain grocery stores, independent grocery stores and other specialty product retailers throughout North America. KeHE is an employee-owned company, with more than 3,500 employees in the United States and Canada. 

Organic pioneers Gladys and Walter Lindberg opened the doors to a retail nutrition store in Los Angeles in 1949 and grew it into a chain that was considered the first health food “superstore” in Southern California. Acquiring Nature’s Best in 1969, the family has grown the company into the largest privately owned wholesaler-distributor of health and natural food products in the country, with certified organic distributor credentials.