Acquisition of Center Meat Company
For Immediate Release
Chicago, Illinois-based Arbor Private Investment Company, L.P., in conjunction with its Operating Partner Steven Zoll, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Brea, California-based Center Meat Company. Center Meat is the largest independent protein purveyor in Southern California, employing over 175 people. Terms of the sale were withheld.
Founded in 1952 by Eugene Schlesinger, Center Meat has grown to become the leading independent protein processor in Southern California. Mr. Schlesinger started Center Meat with one retail butcher shop in the early 1950s, and expanded the business to seven locations. In 1975 he refocused the Company’s direction from retail to wholesale. Mr. Schlesinger was the 2004 recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Orange County, California.
Co-owner John Reese will remain with the Company as President and Eugene Schlesinger will continue as Vice Chairman. Steven Zoll, Arbor Operating Partner and former President of ConAgra Foods Refrigerated Foodservice Company, will join the Board of Directors. Prior to joining ConAgra, he served as President of Zoll Foods, a national center-of-the-plate meat company focused on the foodservice segment.
Today the Company sells a full line of protein products to a wide range of foodservice customers, including well-known hotels, restaurants, country clubs and casual dining chains. Center Meat’s extensive product offering includes beef, poultry, veal, lamb and pork, custom cut to customer specifications at its modern facility located in Brea, California. Throughout its fifty-year history, Center Meat has developed a reputation for high-quality products, extensive selection and outstanding customer service.
“Center Meat is the premier independent protein processor and distributor in Southern California,” said Gregory Purcell, Arbor Managing Partner. “We look forward to building on the Company’s quality reputation as we continue to add customers and expand operations. We would like to acquire additional complementary businesses.”
“We are extremely pleased to find the right partner with whom to entrust our family business of over fifty years,” said Eugene Schlesinger. “Arbor and Steven Zoll provide the industry knowledge, strategic expertise and financial resources to successfully extend the Company’s presence in the foodservice marketplace.”
Chicago, Illinois-based Arbor Private Investment Company is one of the only private equity firms in North America that primarily invests in the food, beverage and related industries.
For more information, please contact Gregory Purcell (312-981-3780) or Joseph Campolo (312-981-3781).