Sauce, dressings companies combine forces

Stir Foods, a custom manufacturer of soups, sauces, dressings and salsas for retail and foodservice clients has acquired Celtrade in Toronto, a maker of private label sauces, dressings and condiments, bolstering the company’s sauce and dressing platform and broadening the company’s reach geographically.

Stir Foods is based in Orange County, Calif., and is a portfolio company under Chicago-based Wind Point Partners. Celtrade operates a 56,000 sq. ft. facility in Toronto that Stir will acquire.

The two companies combine to build a stronger, more diversified custom and private label sauce and dressing operation with redundant manufacturing capabilities across multiple geographies, a broad packaging assortment, and a deep bench of culinary talent, Stir Foods said.

“I am thrilled to welcome the Celtrade team to Stir. The cultures of our two companies are very similar, making this a natural partnership,” said Milt Liu, CEO of Stir. “Celtrade has built a terrific business with a great customer base, team and operation. Our plan is to invest behind Celtrade and leverage our combined capabilities to accelerate growth and create value for all stakeholders.”