SensoryEffects®, a Portfolio Company of Highlander Partners, Acquires Flavors From Florida

BRIDGETON, MO – June 4, 2012 – SensoryEffects Flavor Systems, a division of Highlander Partners’ portfolio company SensoryEffects, announces the acquisition of the assets of Flavors From Florida, Inc., a wholly owned business of Agrana Fruit US, Inc. Flavors From Florida is a premium supplier of flavor systems to dairy and beverage manufacturers in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. Flavors From Florida has been in business for over 35 years, specializing in fruit drinks, beverage flavor systems, frozen dessert bases, fruit purees and novelties.

John Kane, General Manager of SensoryEffects Flavor Systems said, “This acquisition complements our core flavor systems business and will broaden our product offerings to both our domestic dairy and beverage customers. It also helps strengthen SensoryEffects’ position as a leading supplier of fruit based ingredients to the frozen dessert, baking and beverage segments. In addition, this acquisition adds products and customers to our growing international business in the Caribbean and Central and South America regions. Last year, SensoryEffects International in Deland, Florida, was established to export our broad ingredient portfolio outside of North America.”

Flavors From Florida products will be transferred to the SensoryEffects manufacturing plant in Bridgeton, MO. According to Kane, “We are excited to add the Flavors From Florida business to SensoryEffects and we will work with Agrana to ensure a smooth transition for customers, employees and suppliers.”

Flavors From Florida marks the tenth bolt-on acquisition executed by SensoryEffects since Highlander established its food ingredients platform in 2006. Alex Guiva, Partner at Highlander Partners, said, “We have created a tremendous track record of acquiring and integrating businesses and we are very excited about this acquisition as it is very synergistic to our SensoryEffects Flavor Systems division. Overall, SensoryEffects is uniquely positioned to benefit from the growth trends in the food industry, but we are always looking for opportunities to supplement organic growth with strategic acquisitions that expand the company’s capabilities, product offerings, food technology and customer relationships.” SensoryEffects® has experienced rapid growth organically and through acquisitions since Highlander provided seed funding in 2006 and, together with the company’s management team, Highlander is committed to continuing its strategy to build a leading food solution company focused on a high level of customer service, an innovative research and development approach and dedication to product quality and integrity.

About SensoryEffects®
SensoryEffects is a supplier of customized food and beverage ingredients and products with three business units: SensoryEffectsPowder Systems in Defiance, Ohio, SensoryEffects Flavor Systems in Bridgeton, Missouri, and SensoryEffectsCereal Systems in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information please contact Tiffany Pailer at tiffany.pailer@sensoryeffects.com.