TA Associates to Acquire Stonewall Kitchen
“Stonewall Kitchen, known for its high-quality artisan products, has been beloved by consumers around the world since its founding more than 30 years ago,” said Tim Alexander, a managing director at Harris Williams. “The company has thrived in partnership with Audax, and we are excited to see what it achieves in its next chapter with TA.”
“Stonewall Kitchen is building a one-of-a-kind family of brands that spans multiple categories. The brands possess a unique level of cohesiveness from a product positioning and brand ethos standpoint, and when combined with the power of the platform are generating strong growth relative to the categories in which they compete,” added Ryan Freeman, a managing director at Harris Williams.
“The successful expansion beyond food and into high-growth personal care and home fragrances categories speaks to Stonewall Kitchen’s platform strength,” added Kelly McPhilliamy, a managing director at Harris Williams. “The company is successfully executing an exciting strategy that delivers continued runway for growth.”
Stonewall Kitchen is a leading specialty food, home goods and personal care producer headquartered in York, Maine. Founded in 1991 by partners Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the two established the Stonewall Kitchen brand by selling jams and jellies at local farmers’ markets with a flavorful line of distinctive and high-quality products. Over time, they expanded the brand to include sauces, condiments, crackers, and baking mixes, always focusing on innovative product development, beautiful packaging, and exceptional guest service.
Stonewall Kitchen is a premier specialty food and home goods platform in North America, home to a family of premium quality brands including the flagship Stonewall Kitchen brand; the Vermont Coffee Company brand of high quality, non-GMO, certified organic coffee; the Urban Accents brand of globally-inspired spice mixes, seasonings, and sauces; the Village Candle brand of fragranced candles, gifts, and accessories; the Tillen Farms brand of pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; the Napa Valley Naturals brand of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars, and wine vinegars; the Montebello brand of artisan organic pasta imported from Italy; the Vermont Village brand of organic apple sauce and apple cider vinegars; the Michel Design Works brand of elegantly designed and crafted personal and home care products; and the Legal Sea Foods brand of restaurant-quality seafood sauces and condiments. The company boasts national and international distribution; a thriving catalog and online division; a cafe in York, Maine; and 10 retail stores throughout New England.
As winners of more than 30 prestigious awards from the Specialty Food Association and the recipient of the coveted Outstanding Product Line Honors three times, Stonewall Kitchen is proud to be one of the most awarded specialty food companies in the country.
Stonewall Kitchen’s origins are explored in the March issue of Gourmet News.