Niagara Fiber Announces Acquisition of Allied Blending With Backing By Arsenal Capital Partners

05 May 2014 --- Niagara Fiber LLC, a leading supplier of insoluble fiber products globally for food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications, and a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners, has announced the acquisition of Allied Blending and Ingredients, Inc., a leading provider of fiber and starch based proprietary products and mixes for the dairy and tortilla end-markets.

This marks the third acquisition by Niagara. Previously, Niagara had acquired International Fiber Corporation, a leading supplier of cellulose-based insoluble fiber products for food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications, globally, in August 2013 and Fibred, a leading provider of premium soy fiber products for numerous food end-markets, in October 2013.

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Keokuk, Iowa, Allied Blending formulates, manufactures and custom blends various fiber and starch based proprietary products and mixes  which build on Niagara's leading product offerings in insoluble fibers and starches and offers expansion into key end-markets.

"We're excited to add Allied's unique products, multi-plant locations and technical capabilities to our customer offering, and know our customers will benefit from our ability to serve a larger variety of needs.  Allied's innovative product technology and processes enhance specific performance characteristics of dairy products, flatbreads, and tortillas.  We are  looking forward to combining and expanding Allied's R&D, formulation and blending capabilities to better serve our customers," said Ken Blackburn, Niagara's CEO.

"The acquisition of Allied Blending is an integral part of our investment plan to significantly expand Niagara's presence both in North America and internationally and to expand and diversify our product portfolio.  We plan to continue to support the growth of Niagara through acquisitions as well as the development of new product offerings to make Allied, IFC and Fibred together more valuable partners and suppliers to the industries that they serve," added Sal Gagliardo, an Operating Partner at Arsenal.

"The resource platform gained with Allied Blending's inclusion in the Niagara family of product offerings will move Allied to a new level of solution based offerings.  Allied's commitment to innovation and service to create mutual growth partnerships with our customer base will be amplified due to this union," added Randy Schmelzel, President of Allied Blending.

Houlihan Lokey served as exclusive financial advisor to Allied Blending.