Snak King Acquires Midwest Snack Manufacturer, Distributor

LOS ANGELES -- Changes are afoot in the snack industry. It was revealed today that Snak King Corp. acquired C.J Vitner Co., a manufacturer and distributor of snack foods in the greater Chicago market. The price and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Snak King is one of the largest independent snack food manufacturers in the United States. It operates a 277,000-square-foot facility in the City of Industry, Calif., which serves the national market with organic, kosher, Hispanic and traditional snacks under The Whole Earth, El Sabroso, Granny Goose, Jensen's Orchard and Snak King brands, as well as private label products.

C.J. Vitner, founded in 1926, is a family-owned and -operated snack food company with distribution centers in Chicago, Indiana and Wisconsin. It operates a 138,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on 50 acres in Freeport, Ill.

Vitner's customers include many of the nation's largest retail, supermarket and convenience store chains, as well as leading regional retailers in the Midwest.

"We have known the Vitner family for many years, both as distributors of El Sabroso products in the Midwest and as highly respected leaders in our industry," said Barry C. Levin, chairman and CEO of Snak King. "We are very proud that they have chosen to become part of the Snak King organization and are entrusting to us their heritage of more than eight decades of quality."

The current Vitner management team will continue to oversee manufacturing and distribution, he added.

"Joining with Snak King enables Vitner to deliver a truly nationwide solution to our customers in terms of products, distribution and services. Snak King has been at the forefront of our industry in quality and innovation, and we are delighted to have joined their team," said Bill Vitner, chairman and CEO of C.J. Vitner.