Hormel’s MegaMex acquires guacamole line
Published 8:46 am Thursday, July 21, 2011
CHINO, Calif. — Hormel Foods Corp. will soon add some Mexican flavor to its repertoire.
MegaMex Foods LLC, a joint venture between Hormel Foods Corp. and Herdez Del Fuerte, announced Thursday it has an agreement to acquire Fresherized Foods.
Fresherized Foods produces Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa and Wholly Queso products. Annual sales are expected to be about $140 million. The transaction is expected to close in August 2011. The terms were not disclosed.
Wholly Guacamole is the leading brand of prepared guacamole in the United States, according to a Hormel press release. Fresherized Foods uses High-Pressure Processing (HPP), an all-natural, U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved process that uses high water pressure technology to protect the avocado. HPP implements the highest standards of food safety without using preservatives, the release said.
“Expanding our portfolio of products with these new items continues to enhance the position of MegaMex Foods as a one-stop-shop for Mexican foods,” said Enrique Hernández-Pons Torres, chairman of the board of MegaMex Foods. “This acquisition is another example of our continued focus on building the platform of Mexican foods we offer.”
“This transaction further demonstrates the clear commitment of the MegaMex Foods partners to become the U.S. leader in Mexican food,” said Jeff Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. “The addition of the exciting, on-trend Wholly Guacamole, Salsa and Queso products will bring excellent new flavors and varieties to our growing roster of Mexican-inspired brands and products.”