Golden State Foods Acquires KanPak U.S.

03 Oct 2013 --- Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified food processors and distributors in the U.S., announced that it has acquired controlling interests in KanPak U.S., headquartered in Arkansas City, Kan., a leading supplier of beverages and desserts using aseptic processing technology. The purchase of KanPak U.S. includes operations in Kansas, Connecticut, Canada, Mexico and China.

"We're excited about expanding our partnership with KanPak, which will enable GSF and KanPak to increase our offerings to our customers domestically and internationally," said Mark Wetterau, chairman and CEO of Golden State Foods. "It will enable both companies to more fully execute the strategy of meeting the needs of evolving global markets across food and beverage customers, foodservice and consumer packaged goods."

Dennis Cohlmia, who has been serving as the second generation president and chief executive officer of KanPak U.S. for more than four decades, will serve as chairman of the board of KanPak U.S.  Dennis' father, George Cohlmia, originally founded KanPak in 1965. GSF Corporate Vice President and President of Food Processing, Larry McGill, will be promoted to serve as corporate vice president of Golden State Foods and president and chief executive officer of KanPak U.S.  "These two great leaders and rich cultures create an outstanding combination to build this company for tomorrow," adds Mark.

KanPak produces a variety of dairy-based products such as smoothies, ice cream, milk shake base, packaged milk, coffees, creamers, frozen desserts and specialty beverages. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a manufacturing plant in Arkansas City, Kan., an administrative office in Wichita, Kan., an equipment dispensing plant in Southbury, Conn., a sales and marketing office in Mexico City, Mexico, a leased manufacturing plant in Queretaro, Mexico, a manufacturing plant in Xiantao City (Hubei Province), China, and a sales and marketing, research and development/pilot lab in Shanghai.  KanPak currently employs more than 400 full-time associates. Some of its customers include Chick-fil-A, Tim Hortons, KFC, 7-Eleven, McDonald's, Wendy's, Nestle and Costco, among others.