Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, announced plans to merge two of its portfolio companies—Hearthside Food Solutions and Ryt-way Industries. The merger, which will take effect in late May, will create the leading contract food manufacturer in North America, with more than $1 billion in sales and 19 manufacturing facilities across seven states.
Wind Point acquired Hearthside in April 2009 and Ryt-way in August 2008. Both companies provide contract manufacturing services to leading food and consumer packaged goods companies in North America. During Wind Point’s ownership, Hearthside and Ryt-way each completed three acquisitions that further diversified each company’s customer base and product portfolio.