Benford Capital Partners (“Benford Capital” or “BCP”), a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, and its portfolio company, Gum Products International, Inc. (“Gum Products International” or “GPI”), are pleased to announce the acquisition of International Protein Colloids, Inc. (“IPC” or the “Company”).

Formed in 1995 and based in Venus, TX, IPC develops and produces B2B food ingredients, focusing on proprietary gelatin and other protein blends to serve a diverse base of pet treat and pet food customers. IPC’s ingredients provide natural binding, texture and additional “meat flavor” to pet treats and pet foods. The acquisition will enhance GPI’s presence in the pet end market while adding new products to its portfolio. IPC will continue to operate from its current location and be led by the Company’s President, David Walsh, in cooperation with GPI’s management team.

“David Walsh has built a terrific company with long-tenured customer and supplier relationships,” said GPI Founder and CEO, Kenneth Tan. “We have a unique opportunity to better serve our customers with the addition of IPC’s gelatin-based blends and will look to capitalize on the significant cross-selling opportunities across our combined customer base.”

David Walsh added, “It was great working with the BCP and GPI teams throughout this process. I am excited to partner with GPI as we continue our focus on unmatched customer service and developing high quality, highly functional ingredient blends.”

Brian Behm, a Principal at BCP, noted, “We are thrilled to continue building our Gum Products International platform with the addition of IPC. GPI and IPC are a strong fit together due to their complementary business models and similar processing operations, focus on B2B stabilizer blends, and entrenched customer relationships.”

ABOUT GUM PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL

 Gum Products International is a leading B2B food ingredients company, focusing on proprietary hydrocolloid blends, vinegar-based antimicrobials, and other functional food ingredients and processing agents for a global customer base across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Benford Capital partnered with GPI and Kenneth Tan, Founder and CEO, in August 2022 as the first platform investment in Benford Capital Partners II, L.P.

ABOUT BENFORD CAPITAL PARTNERS

Founded in 2004, Benford Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on buying and building leading lower middle market companies in partnership with founders and management. Since inception, Benford Capital has acquired 50 companies and currently owns 17 platform companies. BCP’s industry areas of focus include industrial technology, consumer products and food, B2B e-commerce, and agricultural products and services. For more information, please visit: www.benfordcapital.com.

Please contact Ben Riefe (ben@benfordcapital.com), Brian Behm (bbehm@benfordcapital.com), or Ben Getka (bgetka@benfordcapital.com) with any questions or add-on acquisition ideas for Gum Products International.