Key Takeaways
- • AUA Private Equity Partners, on behalf of portfolio company Western Smokehouse Partners, LLC, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Golden Valley Natural, LLC (dba Hero Snacks), a family-owned all-natural and organic jerky maker based in Shelley, Idaho.
- • Golden Valley brings a 50-plus-year history to Western Smokehouse, which operates four Midwest facilities as a manufacturer of premium, better-for-you meat snacks.
- • The deal expands Western Smokehouse's market presence and product offerings, according to the announcement; no purchase price was disclosed in the release.
- • AUA Private Equity, a lower middle-market firm that typically invests $40 million to $100 million in companies generating more than $10 million in EBITDA, led the transaction through Partner David Benyaminy.
- • Cantor Fitzgerald advised Golden Valley as exclusive financial advisor, while McDermott Will & Emery advised the buyers and Grant Thornton provided accounting advice.
Summary
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC, a West Palm Beach, Florida-based firm, announced on behalf of its portfolio company Western Smokehouse Partners, LLC the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Golden Valley Natural, LLC, doing business as Hero Snacks. The announcement was distributed via Business Wire.
Golden Valley is a family-owned meat snack company focused on all-natural and organic jerky. The company, based in Shelley, Idaho, is credited with being an innovator in its product segment and has a 50-plus-year history. According to the announcement, the company's culture is collaborative and its business long-established, qualities the buyers said mirror those of Western Smokehouse's own predecessor businesses.
Western Smokehouse Partners CEO Matt Bormann said the company welcomed Golden Valley's legacy in the all-natural and organic meat snacks industry, which he said aligns with Western's mission of providing better-for-you meat snack products to all consumers. AUA Private Equity Partner David Benyaminy said the firm was excited by the talent and capabilities Golden Valley brings to the Western platform, citing its reputation for quality, innovation, and collaboration.
Western Smokehouse describes itself as a leading manufacturer of premium, better-for-you meat snacks operating four facilities across the Midwest, offering co-manufactured, private label, and branded products to emerging and established brands and large retailers. AUA Private Equity typically makes equity investments of $40 million to $100 million in companies generating more than $10 million in EBITDA, with a focus on consumer products and services and family-owned businesses.
The transaction was led by Partner David Benyaminy, Vice President Brian Krouskos, Senior Associate Nicholas Pflaum, and Associate Trip Ewig. McDermott Will & Emery served as legal advisor to Western Smokehouse and AUA Private Equity, Grant Thornton LLP served as accounting advisor, and Cantor Fitzgerald served as exclusive financial advisor to Golden Valley. The release did not disclose deal terms or valuation.
Golden Valley is a family-owned meat snack company focused on all-natural and organic jerky. The company, based in Shelley, Idaho, is credited with being an innovator in its product segment and has a 50-plus-year history. According to the announcement, the company's culture is collaborative and its business long-established, qualities the buyers said mirror those of Western Smokehouse's own predecessor businesses.
Western Smokehouse Partners CEO Matt Bormann said the company welcomed Golden Valley's legacy in the all-natural and organic meat snacks industry, which he said aligns with Western's mission of providing better-for-you meat snack products to all consumers. AUA Private Equity Partner David Benyaminy said the firm was excited by the talent and capabilities Golden Valley brings to the Western platform, citing its reputation for quality, innovation, and collaboration.
Western Smokehouse describes itself as a leading manufacturer of premium, better-for-you meat snacks operating four facilities across the Midwest, offering co-manufactured, private label, and branded products to emerging and established brands and large retailers. AUA Private Equity typically makes equity investments of $40 million to $100 million in companies generating more than $10 million in EBITDA, with a focus on consumer products and services and family-owned businesses.
The transaction was led by Partner David Benyaminy, Vice President Brian Krouskos, Senior Associate Nicholas Pflaum, and Associate Trip Ewig. McDermott Will & Emery served as legal advisor to Western Smokehouse and AUA Private Equity, Grant Thornton LLP served as accounting advisor, and Cantor Fitzgerald served as exclusive financial advisor to Golden Valley. The release did not disclose deal terms or valuation.
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