Circana Completes Acquisition of NCSolutions
CHICAGO and NEW YORK — June 2, 2025 — Circana, LLC has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of NCSolutions (NCS), the joint venture between Nielsen and Catalina that improves advertising effectiveness. With this acquisition, Circana significantly expands its media measurement capabilities. Circana announced its intent to acquire NCS last year.
“We are thrilled to welcome the talented NCS team to Circana and meaningfully enhance our media capabilities,” said Stuart Aitken, president and chief executive officer of Circana. “Allocating finite marketing resources is one of the most critical and challenging decisions organizations face today – and there is no substitute for comprehensive, real-time data and actionable insights to optimize outcomes. Bringing together Circana and NCS data, technology assets, and industry-leading expertise will deliver more value for our clients as we work with them to maximize every media and marketing dollar they spend.”
Clients of both organizations will gain broader access to audience targeting, media measurement, in-flight optimization, and clean room solutions. This combination will also increase efficiency and offer improved products and services to fuel clients’ growth through more targeted and impactful advertising.
NCS will join Circana’s Media team, which works with advertisers and their agencies to plan, target, activate, measure, and optimize media spend. Its solutions portfolio is built on a robust enterprise technology platform, actionable CPG and general merchandise shopper, sales, and causal data sets, and advanced analytics. The Circana Media team is led by Cara Pratt, president of Global Retail & Media for Circana.
“NCS has built a stellar reputation in advertising effectiveness,” said Aitken. “We are excited to work alongside their team to bring even better services and solutions to our clients and help them unlock new growth.”
Circana continues to work towards closing its previously announced acquisition of Nielsen’s Marketing Mix Modeling business.
360training Acquires Ready Training Online (RTO)
Austin, TX – May 1, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading provider of online compliance and workforce training, has acquired Ready Training Online (RTO®), a full-service training provider serving the restaurant and convenience store sectors. This acquisition strengthens 360training’s mission to deliver industry-specific training that helps businesses stay compliant and develop high-performing teams.
“The acquisition of RTO is a significant milestone for 360training as we continue expanding our footprint in regulated industries,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “RTO’s deep expertise and reputation in the convenience store space align perfectly with our long-term vision to offer best-in-class training to essential industries that keep the country running.”
Founded in 2005, RTO has spent two decades helping convenience stores and related service businesses across the country develop their frontline workforce and maintain compliance with critical government regulations. The Company has established strong partnerships with many of the top convenience store operators in the United States and is recognized as the preferred eLearning partner of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Now, joining the 360training family, RTO is poised to deliver even greater value to its partners.
“RTO’s practical, easy-to-deploy solutions are a natural fit with 360training’s expanding family of brands,” said Jeff Kahler, Founder of Ready Training Online. “In joining 360training, we are confident RTO clients, and the convenience industry will continue to receive the training necessary for employee success. I am very proud of the RTO and 360training teams. The hard work on both sides led to a well-coordinated, efficient, and non-disruptive acquisition. Their model ensures that becoming part of the 360training family is both effortless and rewarding.”
Together, 360training and RTO will extend their impact by enhancing access to workforce education and compliance training across essential industries.
“This is more than a business decision—it’s an opportunity to bring greater value to the communities we serve,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “RTO’s training helps frontline employees stay safe, informed, and prepared. Together, we can extend that impact by enhancing access to education in one of the country’s most essential service industries.”
As part of the portfolio, RTO will help deliver robust, targeted training tailored for employees in the convenience and retail industries. The acquisition also opens new doors for 360training’s current customers, particularly in the food and beverage space, who will now gain access to RTO’s extensive catalog of compliance and operational training tailored to convenience store operations.
“We’re excited to offer our customers in the convenience retail space a broader, more integrated training solution,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “With this acquisition, we’re blending RTO’s industry leadership with 360training’s expertise in food safety, alcohol seller-server compliance, and workforce education—creating a one-stop shop for scalable, high-impact training.”
360training will continue to support RTO’s existing customer relationships while expanding its capabilities to deliver one of the most comprehensive and adaptable online training solutions for the service and retail industries.
360training Acquires On The Fly Brands
Austin, TX – April 17, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading provider of regulatory-approved training for the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce the acquisition of three brands: TABC On The Fly, Certified On The Fly, and BASSET On The Fly.
This strategic acquisition significantly expands 360training’s Food & Beverage portfolio, which already includes Learn2Serve and TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures), two of the most recognized names in alcohol and food safety training in the U.S.
“This acquisition represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver trusted, accessible regulatory training that protects the public and supports industry professionals,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “By bringing the On The Fly brands into the 360training family, we’re not only extending our leadership in the food and beverage sector—we're reinforcing our commitment to innovation, compliance, and empowering safer hospitality environments nationwide.”
The newly acquired brands have built a strong legacy of convenient, affordable, and user-friendly online certification programs:
- TABC On The Fly is an approved provider of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) certification.
- Certified On The Fly delivers Texas Department of State Health Services-approved Texas Food Handler certification.
- BASSET On The Fly offers Illinois Liquor Control Commission-approved alcohol seller-server training through the BASSET program.
“Every product we deliver is ultimately about building safer, more responsible communities,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “With these brands, we’re able to expand access to approved training content that helps prevent alcohol-related incidents, reduce foodborne illness risks, and meet strict state regulations with ease. It's a win for both public safety and the professionals who keep our food and beverage spaces running.”
Since 2013, TABC On The Fly, Certified On The Fly, and BASSET On The Fly have been trusted by more than one million servers, bartenders, managers, and food service professionals across Texas and Illinois.
“Our customers count on us for reliable, streamlined learning experiences,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “This acquisition allows us to elevate the customer experience with an even broader selection of approved, mobile-friendly training products that fit the way today’s workforce learns—anytime, anywhere.”
360training will continue to deliver the high-quality learning experiences these brands are known for. With this acquisition, the Company continues its momentum in delivering industry-leading regulatory training that’s not only compliant—but impactful.
360training Acquires My Mortgage Trainer
Austin, TX – April 11, 2025 – 360training.com, Inc., a leading online provider of regulatory-approved training and compliance solutions, is pleased to announce its acquisition of My Mortgage Trainer (mymgtr.com), an NMLS-approved provider of mortgage education and compliance training. The acquisition reflects 360training’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the financial services sector and delivering comprehensive learning solutions to professionals nationwide.
Founded over 20 years ago by industry veteran Aaron Wilson (‘Uncle Aaron’ to those in the industry), My Mortgage Trainer has built a strong reputation for educating and training brokers, lenders, and mortgage loan originators across the country. The company is widely recognized for its high-quality, flexible courses and dedication to supporting career development throughout the mortgage industry. Its robust offerings include NMLS-approved pre-licensing and continuing education in all 50 states.
“Bringing My Mortgage Trainer into the 360training family is a strategic union that makes perfect sense,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “Both organizations share a commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible education in regulated industries. This acquisition strengthens our position in the mortgage sector while supporting our broader mission to expand professional training across compliance-driven markets.”
With the acquisition, 360training will maintain the legacy and customer relationships that have made My Mortgage Trainer a trusted name in mortgage education.
“By joining forces, we’re not only expanding our offerings, but also enhancing the compliance and operational support professionals need to navigate the complex mortgage industry,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “This acquisition represents our shared values in maintaining educational integrity, while scaling access to training that strengthens communities and the regulatory landscape.”
Clients of both organizations can expect uninterrupted access to high-quality mortgage training, including pre-licensing and CE courses across all states, while also gaining new opportunities through 360training’s expansive online training platform and innovative learning tools.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” added Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “By combining forces, we’re creating a more powerful training portfolio that meets the evolving needs of mortgage professionals. This gives learners more options, more flexibility, and ultimately, more tools to succeed in today’s challenging market.”
As 360training continues to grow its portfolio of compliance and career-focused training, the acquisition of My Mortgage Trainer exemplifies its mission to provide accessible, high-quality training that empowers individuals and strengthens the industries they serve.
Vestar-backed Tech24 Appoints Cary Reed as CEO
Tech-24 Appoints Cary Reed as New CEO
Greenville, South Carolina — March 12, 2025
Tech-24, a leader in foodservice equipment service and solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Cary Reed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Cary brings over 25 years of extensive experience in operations, sales management, and strategic growth across multiple industries, including foodservice and HVAC. Cary is best known for his remarkable tenure at Service Experts, where he played a crucial role in transforming the business during his time as Chief Operating Officer. His ability to integrate diverse business environments and drive organizational success makes him exceptionally qualified to lead Tech-24 into its next phase of growth. “This is an exciting time for Tech-24 as we embark on new opportunities in the foodservice equipment industry,” said Cary Reed. “I am honored to join such a talented team and look forward to collaborating with our employees, customers, and partners to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service.” As CEO, Cary aims to strengthen Tech-24's commitment to providing unparalleled service and comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of the foodservice industry. He plans to leverage his extensive background in operational oversight and strategic innovation to enhance Tech-24's service offerings and expand its market presence. The team at Tech-24 is confident that Cary's leadership will enhance its customer-centric approach while fostering a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement. “Cary’s proven track record and visionary leadership make him the ideal choice to guide Tech-24 into its next chapter of growth,” said Bob Hund, Tech-24’s Executive Chair. “We are excited about the direction he will take us and the impact he will have on our employees, customers, and stakeholders.” Cary Reed will succeed Dan Rodstrom, who has played an essential role in the company's development. Tech-24 expresses its gratitude for the leadership and dedication shown under Dan and wishes him a comfortable retirement. For more information about Tech-24 and its services, please visit www.mytech24.com.
About Tech-24: Tech-24 is a leading provider of foodservice equipment service solutions, providing comprehensive expertise and support for the foodservice industry. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Tech-24 offers innovative service solutions to ensure that foodservice operations run efficiently and effectively.
End of Release For additional press inquiries, please contact Corey Harrison at [email protected]
Flower Foods to Acquire Vestar Capital-backed Snacks Brand Simple Mills
- The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2025
- Simple Mills was founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith
- Vestar Capital invests in the middle market
Flower Foods Inc has agreed to acquire Simple Mills, a US-based better-for-you snacks brand, from Vestar Capital Partners for $795 million.
Headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia, Flowers Foods, Inc is a producer of packaged bakery foods.
Simple Mills was founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Simple Mills team to Flowers,” said Ryals McMullian, chairman and CEO of Flowers Foods. “With leading market positions and abundant white space for future growth, Simple Mills perfectly fits our strategy of adding compelling brands in better-for-you segments that complement and diversify our existing portfolio.”
The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2025.
Upon closing, Simple Mills will operate as an independent subsidiary of Flowers Foods and continue to be led by founder and CEO Katlin Smith and her leadership team. Simple Mills will maintain its operations in Chicago, Illinois and Mill Valley, California.
RBC Capital Markets LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and Jones Day acted as legal counsel to Flowers Foods in this transaction. Piper Sandler and Centerview Partners served as the financial advisors and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Simple Mills in this transaction. Royal Bank of Canada is acting as administrative agent and sole bookrunner on the term loan.
Circana Announces Leadership Transition
CHICAGO, November 25, 2024 – Circana, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today announced that Stuart Aitken has been named President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. He will succeed Kirk Perry, who has decided to retire from his role as President and CEO at Circana and will continue to serve as a member of the Circana Board of Directors. Aitken will also join the Board as a director.
Aitken joins Circana from Kroger, where he has served as Chief Merchant and Marketing Officer since 2019. Aitken helped to transform Kroger with a strong focus on people and culture, data and insights, and shopper transformation, leading to significant value creation for Kroger and its partners. Aitken also developed a more customer centric approach to merchandising and marketing at Kroger with a focus on driving high margin digital revenue streams including data/analytics and retail-media.
Tod Johnson, Chair of the Circana Board, said, “As part of the company’s succession planning process, Kirk and the rest of the Circana Board have been focused on identifying the ideal candidate to lead Circana well into the future, and we are confident we have found that in Stuart. His passionate leadership, strategic and innovative mindset, and extensive experience across the retail, technology, and data/analytics industries will create value for our company, our people, and the clients we serve globally.”
Aitken said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Circana team and work together with colleagues across the globe to build upon Circana’s position as an industry leader. As a longtime partner to Circana, I have a deep appreciation for the power of its platform and critical role Circana plays across the consumer ecosystem. With best-in-class technology, data, and expertise, Circana will continue to drive growth and innovation across a wide breadth of global clients and industries.”
Johnson continued, “As CEO, Kirk helped spearhead the transformative merger between two world-class brands to create Circana as a leading advisor on consumer behavior across all retail and position the organization for sustained success. His focused dedication elevated both the client and employee experiences while delivering outstanding results year-over-year. On behalf of our Board, I thank Kirk for his leadership and ongoing commitment to Circana.”
Perry said, “It has been a true honor to lead this organization through a transformative period in its history. I am proud of the remarkable progress we made over the past four years, and forever grateful to our talented teams, clients, and partners that made Circana what it is today. I am confident that Stuart is the right leader for Circana’s next stage of growth, and I look forward to working closely with him alongside the rest of our distinguished Board members.”
About Stuart Aitken
Aitken brings extensive experience leading teams across retail, marketing, and analytics. In his most recent role as Kroger’s Chief Merchant and Marketing Officer, Aitken was responsible for the grocery retail leader’s sales, pricing, planning, promotion, execution, analytics, ecommerce, digital merchandising, and private brands strategy.
Aitken joined Kroger after serving as CEO of 84.51°, Kroger’s data analytics arm, and its predecessor, dunnhumby USA. Previously, Aitken acquired many years of marketing, academic and technical experience across a variety of industries and held various leadership roles including at Michael’s Stores and Safeway, Inc. He started his career in the tech space at ASA, Inc and Platinum Technology International.
Originally from Scotland, Aitken holds a bachelor’s degree with distinction from Queen Margaret University and a master’s degree in Information Management from the University of Strathclyde. He currently serves on the Boards of InvenTrust, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and Food Marketing Institute.
Tech24 Partners with A-1 Service Group
GREENVILLE, SC, November 14, 2024—Tech24, a national industry leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, has partnered with A-1 Services, A-1 Restaurant Equipment Services, Assured Power and Diversified Heating & Air (collectively, the “A-1 Service Group“).
A-1 Service Group is based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and serves the maintenance, repair and installation needs of commercial and residential customers across Wisconsin and Illinois via 4 leading brands:
- A-1 Services has over 25 years of experience in the commercial heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration business.
- A-1 Restaurant Equipment Services provides parts and services needed to maintain commercial foodservice equipment across a variety of fast food, casual and fine dining restaurants.
- Assured Power is a full-service licensed electrical contractor.
- Diversified Heating and Air offers a complete line of residential HVAC services for single and multi-family homes.
“I am excited for the future” said Terry Martinez, President of A-1 Service Group. “The resources Tech24 can provide will help us grow our service capability and footprint in Wisconsin and beyond.”
“We are excited to add A-1 Service Group to the Tech24 family. They have a proven track record of providing superior service to their long-standing customers. A-1 Service Group strengthens our presence in parts of Illinois and allows us to extend our service to the Wisconsin market. We look forward to working with Terry’s team to better serve all our customers.” said Dan Rodstrom, CEO of Tech24.
Stratus Appoints Bill Hayden as Chief Executive Officer
Bill Hayden Appointed as Next CEO; Tim Eippert Named Chairman of the Board
CLEVELAND, OH – November 1, 2024 – Stratus, a leader in facilities services and brand implementation solutions, today announced a strategic leadership transition designed to drive the company’s next phase of growth and innovation. Experienced facilities services executive Bill Hayden has been named Chief Executive Officer, and Tim Eippert has been appointed Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Eippert has led Stratus since 1994 when he purchased MC Sign, a small sign company in Ashtabula, OH. Over the next 30 years, Mr. Eippert guided the organization through significant milestones including private equity ownership, numerous growth acquisitions, and the addition of a wide array of service offerings. Under his leadership, the company rebranded to Stratus in 2020 and has solidified its position as a leading facilities services and brand implementation company.
As Chairman, Mr. Eippert will support Mr. Hayden and the team’s collective strategic vision. “This transition is an exciting new chapter for both me and Stratus as I reflect upon our humble beginnings and look forward to the future. I am excited to continue our commitment to excellence while supporting Bill in driving Stratus’ vision forward,” said Mr. Eippert.
Mr. Hayden was previously the CEO of facilitysource, which he sold to CBRE in 2018. Under his leadership, facilitysource evolved from a software and helpdesk platform supporting retail store maintenance to a fully integrated facility management solution which helped over 50,000 locations execute billions of annual spend through a service partner marketplace. Most recently, he served as the President of Enterprise Global Services within CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions, overseeing strategy and execution across its retail facilities and project management offerings, lease administration services, smart buildings, and sustainability solutions. With a proven track record of growth and a wide area of expertise, Mr. Hayden is well-positioned to lead Stratus into its next chapter. “I am not only excited to accept the position of CEO at Stratus, but also look forward to working with Tim and the team to accelerate our growth and deliver even greater value to our customers and partners,” said Mr. Hayden.
360training Acquires Compliance Training Online (CTO)
AUSTIN, Texas, September 5, 2024 — 360training.com, Inc. (360training), a leading provider of online regulated environmental health and safety training, today announced that it has acquired Compliance Training Online (CTO), a prominent online training provider in the industry. This strategic acquisition will significantly enhance 360training's portfolio, offering expanded resources and comprehensive training solutions to clients worldwide.
"We are thrilled to welcome Compliance Training Online to the 360training family," said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. CTO's dedication to providing high-quality compliance training perfectly aligns with our mission to offer the best online training and certification solutions. This acquisition allows us to enhance our environmental safety and OSHA content library and further support our customers in meeting their compliance and certification needs."
CTO has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality compliance training courses that meet regulatory requirements across various sectors, including workplace safety, environmental compliance, transportation, and human resources. By integrating CTO's extensive course library and expertise, 360training will broaden its ability to serve industries requiring rigorous compliance adherence, thereby delivering unparalleled value to its clients.
"Clients of both companies will benefit from a seamless transition, with continuous access to the high-quality training programs they have come to trust," said Samantha Montalbano, Chief Operating Officer of 360training. "Existing customers of CTO can expect enhanced support and expanded training options as part of the 360training family."
The acquisition of CTO underscores 360training's continuous commitment to deliver best-in-class environmental health and safety training quality and innovation throughoutin the elearning space. CTO's advanced training modules and regulatory expertise will be integrated with 360training's state-of-the-art learning platform, offering an improved user experience and more comprehensive training solutions.
About Compliance Training Online
Since 2008, Compliance Training Online (CTO) has been dedicated to keeping employees safe and companies compliant. They offer easy-to-use, high-quality, and low-cost online training courses covering a wide range of compliance areas, including Cal/OSHA, Canada OHS, DOT HAZMAT, EEOC, EPA, HAZWOPER, HIPAA, IATA, IMO, MSHA, and OSHA safety standards and regulations. With over 31,600 companies, government agencies, and universities having utilized CTO's courses, their experience in online compliance training is unmatched.
About 360training
Established in 1997, 360training.com, Inc. is a trusted leader specializing in comprehensive online training solutions for individuals and businesses across various industries, including financial services, real estate, healthcare, and environmental health and safety. With innovative technology and a commitment to quality education, they offer accredited courses fostering safe and healthy communities. Having delivered over 11 million training plans across multiple brands, including AgentCampus, VanEd, OSHAcampus, OSHA.com, Hard Hat Training, AdvanceOnline, ACLS Medical Training, American Resuscitation Council, HIPAA Exams, Mortgage Educators and Compliance (MEC), TIPS, and Learn2Serve, 360training remains dedicated to expanding its offerings. As part of this commitment, the company continues to seek acquisition opportunities that build synergies and enhance value for its customers. Please visit www.360training.com or our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more.