LNK Partners sells Niman Ranch to Perdue Farms

LNK Partners has completed the sale of Niman Ranch and its parent company Natural Food Holdings to Perdue Farms. No financial terms were disclosed. Based in Sioux City, Iowa, Natural Food Holdings is a maker of all-natural fresh and prepared meat products while Niman Ranch is an all-natural pork, beef and lamb brand.

PRESS RELEASE

LNK Partners is pleased to announce the closing of the sale of Niman Ranch and its parent company, Natural Food Holdings, to Perdue Farms. Niman Ranch is the premium all-natural brand of pork, beef, and lamb that is antibiotic free, hormone free, and raised humanely and sustainably through a network of U.S. family farms. During LNK and management’s ownership, the Niman Ranch brand nearly doubled, expanding into new geographic markets, new distribution channels, and new product lines, all while remaining true to its core values and the authenticity of the Niman Ranch brand.

The investment is a great example of how LNK partners with management teams to help them build outstanding consumer brands. In particular, it highlights the strength and direct value-add of LNK’s operating partners, who have led leading consumer businesses and are able to leverage their experience and contacts to support our partners. While the sale represents an excellent result for LNK’s investors, it is also a terrific outcome for the NFH team and the Niman Ranch brand, both of which have found a great long-term home at Perdue.

As a reminder, LNK remains interested in identifying new opportunities where we can invest $50–200 million of equity capital per deal. Most importantly, we are focused on companies where there is a management team that is truly interested in finding a value-added partner for their business. Approximately 50% of LNK’s investments have been minority, but we are open to owning greater than 50% as long as the management team with whom we are partnering continues to own a very meaningful stake as well.
We look forward to speaking with you soon and to finding an opportunity to work together.