Sauer Brands, Inc.

active Investment //
Celebrating 130 years of producing fine spices, extracts, and flavorings

Sauer Brands, Inc. is a 130+ year-old manufacturer of branded and private label condiments, spices, seasonings, and extracts. The Company’s most well-known domestic brands include Duke’s mayonnaise, The Spice Hunter spices and seasonings, Kernel Seasons’ popcorn seasonings, and Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa. The Company is headquartered in Richmond, VA with additional manufacturing facilities in Greenville, SC, San Luis Obispo, CA, and New Century, KS.  Falfurrias Capital acquired Sauer Brands, Inc. in August 2019.

Add-on Acquisitions

Chicago Custom Foods:  Chicago-based CCF is a leader in branded popcorn seasonings, a category it created in 2000 with the introduction of Kernel Season’s, now America’s No. 1 selling brand with more than 20 flavors. CCF has expanded into new food categories recently with brands that include Tasty Shakes oatmeal mix-ins, Veggie Season’s vegetable seasonings, and Truffle Season’s premium popcorn seasonings.

Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa:  Founded in 2010 by Andrew Robbins, Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa is one of the nation’s leading independent salsa brands, available in retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Target, Publix and Kroger.  Mateo’s all-natural line of products includes a wide variety of salsas ranging from core flavors such as Mild, Medium and Hot, to small-batch gourmet flavors such as Habanero, Hatch and Cantina Style.

Milestones

August 2019
Sauer Brands, Inc. strategic investment
November 2019
Appointed Martin Kelly as President & CEO of Sauer Brands
April 2020
Acquired Chicago Custom Foods (CCF), maker of Kernel Season's popcorn seasoning, as well as oatmeal mix-ins and vegetable seasonings
September 2021
Acquired Mateo's Gourmet Salsa, one of the leading independent brands in the shelf-stable salsa category.

Operational Value add

  • Built highly experienced management team with the appointment of a new Executive Chairman, CEO, CFO, and key operational roles
  • Managed a procurement review to help Sauer establish a world class supply chain and procurement organization