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e-News
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Kingslake and Crane heads West |
03.28.2008
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NAPA, Calif.--Three weeks ago, Kingslake and Crane premium granola began manufacturing its line of premium granolas here.
Back in January, Tulocay and Co. acquired the premium granola snack manufacturer that won the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade's best product line award in 2005 and a Best New Product Award at Natural Products Expo West in 2006.
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Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. But for Kingslake and Crane Co-founder Susan Kleinpell, the buyout came along at the right time.
"We needed to move and to expand," said Kleinpell, who co-founded the company with her husband Art. They (Tulocay & Co.) were looking for a snack division and we were looking for help."
Back in 2002, Kleinpell was searching for a granola or snack mix that she liked "that didn't taste like birdseed." So, she created her own recipe using coconut, almonds, pecans, Michigan tart red cherries, cranberries and golden raisins.
The premium granola was a hit. Within 18 months of launching the company, the couple had maxed out their 6,000-square-foot warehouse in Clawson, Mich.For Kingslake and Crane, moving West made sense from a product delivery standpoint. "The California market is our ideal demographic," said Kleinpell. The couple relocated to California and continues to work in product development and marketing for the brand.
Founded in 1993, Tulocay and Co. makes all natural specialty food products. Brands include Made in Napa Valley, a line of specialty pantry products; and Vineyard Pantry, a line of value-priced sauces and condiments.
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