CLIENT:
Arbre Group Holding Corporation (“AGH”) is a family-owned business that began in 2009 following the acquisition of the assets of Arbre Farms Corporation (“AFC”) and Willow Cold Storage Corporation (“WCS”, together with AFC, “the Company”). AGH has roots dating back to 1948 when Francis Marks founded a fresh produce company. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Paris Foods Corporation, Holli-Pac Inc. and Sun Mark Foods, AGH offers processing, re-packaging, distribution, and storage for a variety of frozen fruit and vegetable products.

SITUATION:
AGH was formed through a combination of frozen fruit and vegetable processing, re-packaging, cold storage, and distribution businesses across Central and Eastern U.S. G2 Capital Advisors, LLC (“G2”) was initially engaged by the Board of Directors of AGH to evaluate strategic alternatives for the Company in service of helping them realize their long-term vision, including a current state analysis of the business, assessment of potential growth opportunities and development of financial and operational alternatives. Following thoughtful consideration of the strategic alternatives, the Board of Directors engaged G2 to pursue partnership opportunities for its processing assets, allowing AGH to allocate resources to its core distribution businesses.

ENGAGEMENT:
G2 served as the exclusive financial advisor to AGH, leading an expedited, hands on process to evaluate partnership opportunities for AFC and WCS. G2 focused on identifying potential partners for the Company with deep operational expertise in food processing and who understand the value of the facility and assembled assets.

“The AGH team trusted G2 to run the process to support its long-term vision for its companies. It was a pleasure working with the AGH team to deliver the optimal outcome for AFC and WCS. We are excited about the future and look forward to watching the continued success of the Company with a highly capable partner in OPC.” said Don Van der Wiel, Managing Director for G2.

OUTCOME:
After evaluating various partnership options, AGH determined a carve out sale of the Company ultimately presented the best path forward for AFC and WCS. The transaction was successfully closed on April 30th, 2021 through a sale of AFC and WCS to Oregon Potato Company (“OPC”), and assigned to OPC Arbre Farms, LLC. The acquisition strengthens OPC’s position as a leader in the vegetable processing and distribution space to better serve its customers across North America.

“This outcome provides AFC and WCS with an opportunity to leverage OPC’s footprint, expertise, and relationships to accelerate growth and extend its reach in the frozen vegetable market. We thank G2 Capital Advisors for guiding us through this complex and detailed process. G2 acted as an extension of our team providing valued support and trusted advice throughout.” said Dylan Marks, President & CEO of AGH.

About Arbre Group Holdings:
Founded in 2009 with history dating back to the late 1940’s, AGH through its subsidiaries specializes in globally sourced frozen fruit and vegetable wholesale distribution, frozen produce importing, frozen vegetable processing, frozen produce re-packing, and cold storage services to the retail grocery, foodservice, and frozen food manufacturing companies throughout North America.

About G2 Capital Advisors:
G2 Capital Advisors provides M&A, capital markets and restructuring advisory services to the middle market. We offer integrated, multi-product and sector-focused services by pairing highly experienced C-level executives with specialist investment bankers. We aspire to be the trusted advisor of choice to our clients including corporations and institutional investors.

CONTACTS ON THIS DEAL:
Ben Wright, COO: E: [email protected]

Don Van der Wiel, Managing Director: E: [email protected]

Zach Talotta, Senior Associate: E: [email protected]

Kevin Lamb, Senior Analyst: E: [email protected]

Andrew Keleher, Vice President: E: [email protected]