DENVER , May 17, 2024 — SDR Ventures is pleased to announce that (“Imagine Baking” or “the Company”) has been acquired by Commercial Bakeries Corp., a portfolio company of (“Graham”). SDR served as the exclusive to Imagine Baking throughout the transaction process.
Imagine Baking is a manufacturer of specialty, premium, and better-for-you crackers, cookies, biscuits, brittles, and chips, focusing on the gluten-free, organic, and better-for-you space. Headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, Imagine Baking operates a 114,000+ square foot facility that includes segregated manufacturing lines, multiple packaging capabilities, and a sizeable R&D laboratory, which will help to unlock additional opportunities for the combined businesses.
Adrienne and John O’Donnell, Owners & Founders of Imagine Baking, commented, “We are grateful to Logan and the SDR team for persistently vouching for us throughout the process. Their strategic vision and dedication was critical in aligning the path to shared success for our new partnership. This will be a win-win for both our companies, as we look forward to adding our innovation focus to the steady product offerings at Commercial Bakeries. Together we will create a top destination for both brands and private label needs.”
Imaging Baking has formulated and launched successful national brands for decades. The Company continues to add creativity to the contract baking arena as their experienced team members develop and produce private label products for prominent retailers. Committed to stirring up the marketplace and bringing next-generation baking, the team is excited about making top-notch, progressive products.
With Commercial Bakeries headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the purchase of Imagine Baking broadens their abilities within the fast-developing North American private label cookie and cracker market. “We are delighted to welcome John and Adrienne O’Donnell and their Imagine Baking group into the expanded organization,” said Shawn Warren, CEO of Commercial Bakeries. “We are definite that together we will accelerate toward our commitment of ‘Baking Up Better’ every day and in every way.”
“The shared vision and complementary assets that Imagine Baking and Commercial Bakeries bring to the table is evident. Together they are ready to open up greater opportunities than they could accomplish alone. I’m thrilled for their future,” concluded Scott Mitchell, at SDR Ventures.
Logan Bohlender concluded, “It was a delight working with John and Adrienne. Their contagious enthusiasm for changing the better-for-you food sector was truly motivating. It was a privilege to be part of their journey and help their vision come to life.”
About Commercial Bakeries
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Commercial Bakeries is a producer of private label packaged cookies with a focus on specialty / premium, better-for-you, and seasonal / limited time offering (“LTO”) products. Commercial Bakeries primarily serves the retail and co-manufacturing channels, collaborating with numerous retail grocery chains and brands in North America.
About Imagine Baking
Imagine Baking is a manufacturer of fancy crackers, cookies, biscuits, and brittle. Imagine Baking has a positive track record of collaborating with its brands to formulate, optimize and market new, progressive specialty baked products.
About Graham Partners
Graham Partners is a private investment firm concentrated on investing in technology-motivated companies that are encouraging innovation in advanced manufacturing, leading to product replacements, raw material conversions, and disruptions to customary end markets. Based in suburban Philadelphia, the firm has access to vast operating resources and industrial expertise and is a part of The Graham Group, an affiliation of independent operating businesses, investment firms, and philanthropic organizations, which all share in the universal inheritance of entrepreneur Donald Graham.
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SOURCE SDR Ventures