CATCH THE BUZZ - THE BIGGEST GETS BIGGER

CATCH THE BUZZ

Groeb Farms Inc., a portfolio company of Horizon Partners, has acquired Miller’s American Honey Inc., a Colton, Calif.-based honey producer. No financial terms were disclosed. Houlihan Smith & Co. advised Miller’s American Honey on the deal.

Houlihan Smith & Company, Inc. (Houlihan Smith) acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Miller’s American Honey, Inc. in their sale to Groeb Farms, Inc., a portfolio company of Horizon Partners Ltd. The announcement was made by Charles Botchway, Group Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Houlihan Smith. The transaction was led by Houlihan Smith Managing Director Lester (Jay) Rodgers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

George Murdock, Miller’s American Honey’s Board Chairman, issued the following statement: “The deal team at Houlihan Smith made extraordinary efforts to work towards “win-win” solutions in effecting our sale to Groeb Farms. Their approach cautiously avoided hyperbole, relying instead on honest, straightforward presentation of facts, supported by their ability to communicate complex financial data into evidence of true value.”

In announcing the acquisition, Ernie Groeb, Groeb Farms President and Chief Executive Officer said “Merging these two businesses who share a common family legacy of commitment to the production of high-quality products will benefit our customers and their consumers.” He continued: “We are honored that the Murdock family has entrusted the Miller legacy to us”.

Houlihan Smith Vice President Matthew Thomason stated: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Murdock family achieve their goals and realize an outcome fitting of the rich, 116-year heritage of Miller’s American Honey.”

About Houlihan Smith & Company
Houlihan Smith & Company, Inc. is a specialized investment banking firm that provides financial advisory and valuation services to public and private businesses. Houlihan Smith is a registered broker-dealer and also a member of FINRA/SIPC.

Houlihan Smith understands the time sensitivity related to corporate finance transactions and responds quickly and effectively to new opportunities. The Houlihan Smith approach creates corporate finance transactions in which business owners and investors mutually benefit. Having the knowledge, experience and relationships to match buyers and sellers, as well as the ability to match the appropriate financing and capitalization structure to each unique client situation, is a strength that differentiates Houlihan Smith from the competition. Houlihan Smith provides cost-effective fairness and solvency opinions, as well as valuations for tax reporting and financial reporting for some of the largest NYSE/NASDAQ companies and small private businesses. (www.houlihansmith.com)

About Groeb Farms, Inc.
Groeb Farms, Inc. (www.groebfarms.com) began as a family-owned business in 1973. In 2007, the company joined forces with private equity company, Horizon Partners. Groeb Farms is the world’s largest Industrial and Foodservice processor of honey, selling approximately 70M pounds of honey in 2009. In addition to honey, Groeb Farms also distributes peanut butter, molasses, mustard and vinegar. These Groeb Farms products are used for direct consumption or as ingredients in products such as salad dressings, sauces, snacks, bread, cookies, crackers, beverages, and meat. Groeb Farms, Inc. is headquartered in Onsted, MI, with locations in Belleview, FL and Baytown, TX.

About Miller’s American Honey Company
Miller’s American Honey Company is a family owned business which began in 1894. From humble beginnings as a Beekeeping enterprise, Miller’s has grown into a $30M operation, with domestic as well as international customers. The Company’s primary product line is honey; however, customers are also serviced with products, such as, peanut butter, molasses and agave syrup. Products range from retail packages for grocery store shelves to tanker loads of honey for bakeries. Miller’s American Honey Company is headquartered in Colton, CA with a second location in Oakland, CA.

Find out What’s New At Mann Lake right Here

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping, published by the A.I. Root Company. Is beekeeping not legal where you are, or do you know somewhere it's not? Help us help beekeepers everywhere...tell us the name of the city, town, or county and we'll get it on the list. Send an email to Kim@Beeculture.com today!