Shearer’s Foods Inc., a Brewster, Ohio-based producer and distributor of branded, contract-pack and private label seasoned snack foods, said it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Oregon-based Snack Alliance Inc. and its Canadian affiliate, a manufacturer of branded, contract-pack and private label snacks. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval. 

“The combination of Shearer’s and Snack Alliance will create a leading North American supplier of private label and contract-pack salty snack products, complemented by the high-growth riceworks brand,” said Robert J. Shearer, chairman and CEO of Shearer’s. “The product manufacturing capabilities and geographic diversity of the combined companies will enable us to service our customers even more effectively.”

John Frostad, CEO of Snack Alliance, will join the Shearer’s senior management team as vice chairman of Shearer’s and president – Canadian operations, Shearer’s said.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and the potential of the Shearer’s – Snack Alliance combination,” Frostad said. “We have tremendous respect for the Shearer’s team and look forward to broadening the Shearer’s product innovation capabilities and providing increased distribution proximity for our customers.”

Shearer’s said it is majority owned by Mistral Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on the consumer, retail and consumer-focused media sectors. Snack Alliance is owned by Trimin Capital, a Canadian private equity firm, and members of the company’s management team. Rabo Securities USA, Inc. acted as exclusive sell-side Financial Advisor to Snack Alliance.