Wind Point Partners Acquires FoodScience Corporation
March 12, 2021
Chicago, IL, – Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”), a Chicago-based private equity firm, has acquired FoodScience Corporation (“FoodScience” or the “Company”), a Vermont-based formulator, manufacturer and marketer of high-quality nutritional supplements for humans and pets. FoodScience was founded in 1973 by Guido and Maria Orlandi and has since remained in the family under Claudia Orlandi’s ownership. For nearly 50 years, the family-owned Company’s core focus has been helping people and pets live healthier lives through providing the highest quality products. Today, the Company offers a broad portfolio of nutritional supplements through its brands VetriScience®, DaVinci®, and Pet Naturals®, as well as private label and custom formulation offerings.
Wind Point will be partnering with FoodScience management and incumbent CEO Sharon Rossi, who joined the Company in 2017. Ms. Rossi has significant experience leading companies in the consumer products industry. Prior to joining FoodScience, Ms. Rossi served as Chief Customer Officer at Coty, Inc. (NYSE: COTY), which followed her role as General Manager of the Consumer Lifestyle Division at Philips (NYSE: PHG) and a 16-year career with Unilever (NYSE: UL), where she was responsible for leading its customer marketing and channel operations among other roles.
Ms. Rossi commented, “Wind Point’s investment team understands consumer goods, the pet industry and the supplement industry, and is experienced in both retail and e-commerce channels. FoodScience and Wind Point share values such as commitment to community and affirming corporate culture. I am optimistic about this investment; it is a win for our customers, employees and Vermont neighbors.”
Advising Wind Point on the transaction were executives Katie Doyle, Chris Hornung, and Bob Shipley, all of whom have joined FoodScience’s Board of Directors. Ms. Doyle, who will serve as FoodScience’s Board Chair, brings extensive leadership experience in the nutritional supplements industry, as well as in direct-to-consumer and health care practitioner channels from her previous roles as CEO of Swanson Health Products and President of Abbott Nutrition, U.S. Mr. Hornung founded and served as CEO of Pacific Cycle, a former Wind Point III portfolio company. This represents the third partnership between Wind Point and Mr. Hornung, who is also a member of the firm’s Executive Advisor Partner (“EAP”) program. Mr. Shipley most recently served as CEO of FoodScience before transitioning to an advisory role.
Paul Peterson, Managing Director at Wind Point, noted, “FoodScience is a very strong competitor in the human supplements market with its long history of quality, efficacy and safety. It is a pioneer in the animal health industry, formulating animal supplements and treats. The FoodScience brand portfolio, reputation, manufacturing assets and approach to research are compelling. Amidst changing consumer buying behavior and elevated focus on health and wellness, FoodScience is well-positioned to capitalize on the acceleration of eCommerce and growth in human and pet nutritional supplements. We look forward to working with Sharon and the entire FoodScience team in further building the brands and private label business to execute on our value creation plan.”
FoodScience represents Wind Point’s fifth platform acquisition of a family or entrepreneur-owned business in the last 18 months, continuing the firm’s decades-long history of partnering with founders and entrepreneurs to drive further growth and transformation. Wind Point has also been a longtime investor in the consumer and pet products industries, with select current and prior investments including Targeted PetCare, Petmate, Pestell Nutrition, Tropicale Foods, Stir Foods, Evans Food Group, Shearer’s Foods, Voyant Beauty, and Radienz Living (fka U.S. Nonwovens).
Claudia Orlandi, FoodScience’s owner and widow of the founders’ son, commented, “As a member of the Orlandi family, I am confident that this opportunity will build on the founders’ legacy of innovation, science and world-class standards.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Wind Point. Downs Rachlin Martin LLP served as legal counsel to Claudia Orlandi.
Learn more at www.wppartners.com
Source: Wind Point Partners