Wind Point Partners Acquires Nonni’s Biscotti

Chicago-based private equity firm Wind Point Partners has acquired Nonni’s Biscotti from Chipita America Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The buyout shop previously owned Nonni’s Food Company, which it divested in 2008, and is now re-acquiring the biscotti business as a stand-alone entity. The firm invested out of Wind Point VII, a $915 million fund closed in April 2009. Nonni’s Biscotti has facilities in Ferndale, New York, and Tulsa, Ok.

PRESS RELEASE
Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, today announced that it has acquired the Nonni’s Biscotti business from Chipita America, Inc., formerly known as Nonni’s Food Company. Nonni’s Biscotti is the leading producer, marketer and distributor of branded premium biscotti in the U.S. Wind Point previously owned Nonni’s Food Company, which it divested in 2008, and is now re-acquiring the biscotti business as a stand-alone entity.

Wind Point is partnering with Dave Beré, who is joining Nonni’s Biscotti as CEO. Dave is a seasoned food industry executive with whom Wind Point partnered on Bakery Chef, a former portfolio company that was successfully exited in 2003. Dave most recently worked with KKR as President of Dollar General and has previously held positions as CEO of McCain Foods USA and President of Quaker Oats’ Breakfast Division.

Mark Burgett, a managing director at Wind Point Partners, said “Nonni’s Food Company was a very successful investment for Wind Point, and we are excited to re-acquire the biscotti business in partnership with Dave Beré. With Wind Point and Dave’s experience in the food industry, we are confident that we can build Nonni’s Biscotti into a diversified premium snack food company.”

Dave Beré commented, “Nonni’s is a market leader in the biscotti category with advanced production capabilities. We look forward to leveraging the company’s resources to expand not only distribution within our core product categories but also with new, complementary product categories.”

Nonni’s is the fourth platform for Wind Point VII, a $915 million fund closed in April 2009. Other current Wind Point portfolio companies in the food industry include Hearthside Food Solutions, Ryt-way Industries and Santa Maria Foods.

Service providers on the Nonni’s Biscotti transaction: Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as the legal advisor to Wind Point; KPMG served as the financial advisor to Wind Point; Reed Smith and Papapolitis & Papapolitis served as legal advisors to Chipita America, Inc.

About Wind Point Partners
Wind Point Partners is a private equity investment firm that manages commitments of approximately $2.5 billion. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber CEOs to acquire middle market businesses where we can establish a clear path to value creation. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.

About Nonni’s Biscotti
Nonni’s Biscotti is the leading producer, marketer and distributor of branded premium biscotti in the U.S. The company operates two facilities in Ferndale, New York and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nonni’s produces biscotti in its state-of-the art continuous flow tunnel ovens, using the original family recipe including real eggs, butter and gourmet bittersweet chocolate that gives the biscotti a light, crunchy texture that is delicately sweet.