Yamazaki Baking acquires Bakewise Brands

US-based investment firms Ancor Capital Partners and Merit Capital Partners have announced the sale of Macedon, New York-based Bakewise Brands to Tokyo-based Yamazaki Baking Co.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

In 2010, Merit and Ancor set up Bakewise Brands as the corporate identity for Fleischer’s Bagels, purchased in 2005, and Tom Cat Bakery, purchased in 2008.

Fleischer’s is based in Macedon, New York and was founded in 1971, while Tom Cat, operating in Long Island City, New York, was set up in 1987.

Ancor managing director Ray Kingsbury said: "We have enjoyed a long relationship with the Bakewise team, and we are extremely proud of the culture established and embraced by the management team and employees.

“Bakewise Brands today offers a portfolio of 400 products and 65 years of combined bakery experience, and is a trusted bakery solutions provider offering a variety of branded and private label programmes to premier retail and food service operators throughout the US, Canada and the Caribbean.”

Merit Capital managing director Terry Shipp said: “We are proud of the significant accomplishments of Bakewise and its leadership position as a leading manufacturer and distributor of fresh, frozen and refrigerated bagel products.

“The strong emphasis on product quality, food safety and rapid new product development has been a positive differentiator of our products in the market.”

Shipp added that its wholly-owned subsidiary Tom Cat Bakery produces handmade artisan bread, distributed within the US through a network of specialty frozen distributors.

Yamazaki Baking Co. manufacturers bread, sweet buns, Japanese-style confectionery, Western-style confectionery, processed bread and prepared rice and side dishes, as well as jam, desserts and prepared foods.