Investment Focus

USGF invests in branded consumer products that compete for distribution in specialty retail, mainstream grocery channels, discount and club stores.   We prefer established consumer product brands, including the following categories: natural, ethnic & regional foods, functional food and beverages.   We also acquire mature, orphan brands in the food sector, personal care and household sectors.  

Categories

• Food and Beverage - Primary focus on branded (non-commodity) products with clear growth opportunity through distribution expansion. 
• Secondary Interest - OTC/Personal Care Products & Household Products with similar opportunity for distribution expansion.

Geography

Company Size

• Enterprise Value of $10-$50 million
• EBITDA of $2-$10 million

Preferred Profile

We are most interested in companies with shelf-stable, branded products that command premium pricing over mainstream offerings in the same category.  We have particularly strong interest in Natural Products, Over-the-Counter Personal Care and Household Products.  USGF understands the complexities involved in increasing brand visibility, while carefully guarding brand premium drivers.

We will have strong interest in acquisition opportunities that include one or more of the following attributes:  

• Attractive Gross Margins,
• Strong Product Feature Differentiation,
• Growth Opportunity through Distribution Expansion and Channel/Brand Extensions,
• Value Enhancement through Manufacturing Consolidations & Efficiencies,
• Corporate Divestitures of Mature, Non-Core Brand with strong Consumer Awareness,
• Add-ons to existing USGF portfolio company (ie natural/gourmet/ethnic/regional condiments, sauces, marinades & dressings).

Low Interest

Investment Style

We have low interest in perishable food product s (ie fresh meat, seafood, vegetables and bakery goods); private label manufacturing and commodity-priced products with low differentiation.

We have strong preference for direct control positions, but will consider strategic co-investment opportunities where our operational and distribution strengths add significant value.