Nox Health logo

Nox Health Expands Board of Directors

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Nov. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nox Health, a global sleep health leader in sleep diagnostics and value-based sleep care management, today announced the appointment of three new board members: Lloyd Dean, Chief Executive Emeritus, CommonSpirit Health; David Schlanger, Executive Chairman, Progyny; Dr. Bill Lewis, Telehealth Consultant to Fortune 500 companies.

“Sleep is the missing gap in care central to all chronic conditions,” said Sigurjon Kristjanson, CEO Nox Health. “Lloyd, David and Bill each provide the company with relevant, current and direct experience working with the plan sponsors, payers, providers and health systems who can benefit from filling that gap in care through our portfolio of value-based sleep care management solutions.”

David Schlanger is the Executive Chairman, Progyny, a leading fertility benefits management company. He previously served as the company’s CEO, where he led the company to reach key milestones, including achieving five consecutive years of industry leading clinical outcomes and becoming the first fertility and family building company to go public. Prior to Progyny, he served as the CEO of WebMD, the health information resource.

“Nox Health is differentiated in the market because it reframes sleep as a critical intervention strategy that curbs the progression of multiple chronic diseases, with a dramatic impact on plan costs and outcomes,” said David Schlanger, Executive Chairman, Progyny. “I’m delighted to be working with the Nox team to guide the commercialization strategy as we align the interests of members, plan sponsor, and providers to ensure successful outcomes.”

Lloyd Dean, Chief Executive Emeritus, CommonSpirit Health, is a nationally recognized leader within healthcare. During his time as CEO of CommonSpirit Health, he was responsible for the organization’s overall management, governance, strategy and direction. He led CommonSpirit Health and Dignity Health through significant strategic, operational, and financial transformations to its current status as a leading health care organization recognized for high quality, compassionate care, operational excellence and successful financial results.

“Given my experience in the health system space across large patient populations, I understand how sleep deprivation impacts virtually every chronic condition, like diabetes, hypertension and obesity,” said Lloyd Dean, Chief Executive Emeritus, CommonSpirit Health. “I look forward to working with the Nox Health Board of Directors as the company integrates its science-backed, behavioral interventions into traditional care models to help overcome sleep care treatment barriers, drive higher rates of adoption and reduce costs.”

Dr. Bill Lewis currently serves as Senior Consultant, through WellMedcare, on telemedicine for Fortune 500 companies and Care Delivery Organizations like Humana. He is currently engaged on Advisory Boards for several telemedicine companies such as GlobalMed, SmartMeter and Teledentist, and is on the Board of Quest Analytics. Previously, he was the Chair of the ATA/CHQI Accreditation Committee for Telemedicine currently known as the URAC Telemedicine Accreditation Program. He served as SVP for Concentra overseeing 140 clinics and 200 plus Clinic worksites and physicians for 20 years.

Dr. Bill Lewis commented: “I am proud to join the Board of Directors of Nox Health, a purpose-driven company that is focused on enabling access and improving outcomes, issues that I have dedicated my career to addressing.”

About Nox Health
Nox Health is a global leader in sleep diagnostics and value-based care on a mission to improve the health of people with chronic conditions. Our diagnostic devices are used more than two million times annually in more than 50 countries, and our value-based, outcomes-focused sleep care management program now covers more than a million employees. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and with operations in Reykjavík, Iceland and Denver, Colorado, Nox Health’s delivery of sleep care is unmatched with accurate sleep diagnostics, comprehensive, value-based sleep care management and rigorous outcomes measurement. For more information on Nox Health, please visit www.noxhealth.com.



Titan Frozen Fruit logo

Titan Frozen Fruit Strengthens Team with the Additions of Alan Cutler as Chief Financial Officer and Tom Byrne as Executive Vice President of Commercial Development

Longtime Industry Executives to Support Titan's Sustainable Growth and M&A Initiatives

 

SANTA MARIA, Calif.Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Titan Frozen Fruit ("Titan" or "the Company"), a market-leading, value-added food ingredient manufacturer and fruit processor, announced today two new additions to strengthen the Company's senior leadership team. Alan Cutler has been named Chief Financial Officer and Tom Byrne has been named Executive Vice President of Commercial Development. Titan is a portfolio company of Vestar Capital Partners and Windhover Capital.

"Given Alan's and Tom's successful track records, we are confident they will play a key role in Titan's transformation," said Jon Larsen, CEO of Titan. "Alan's leadership in developing financial strategies to drive sustainable growth, as well as his focus on enhancing Titan's finance function and processes, will be critical as we build out the organization. Additionally, Tom's strong sales and business development background and his M&A experience will be an asset for Titan as we look for new opportunities to grow the business both organically and through strategic acquisitions. I welcome them both to the Company."

Mr. Cutler has spent over 25 years building and leading teams in the food, agriculture and manufacturing industries, most recently as CFO of Randall Foods. Some of his previous C-level roles include serving as CFO at Vita-Pakt Citrus Products Co., CEO and COO at True Fresh High Pressure Processing/True Food Innovations, and CFO/President/GM at Goglanian Bakeries Inc. (now Rich Products Corporation, Inc.). Mr. Cutler earned both his bachelor of science and masters of business administration degrees from Troy University.

"I'm eager to work with the Titan team to leverage what I've learned over my long career in food processing to help position the Company for its next stage of growth," said Mr. Cutler. "I look forward to working closely with Jon, Tom and the rest of the Titan management team as we look to take advantage of opportunities in the market."

With more than 25 years of experience leading transformational changes in complex business environments, Mr. Byrne was most recently Senior Vice President – Division Manager at Golden West Packaging Group, where he led the integration of three agricultural-centric packaging businesses. Previously, he served as President of Growers Express, and was also Vice President – General Manager at Sambrailo Packaging, and Director of Food Sales at Peninsula Packaging. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Notre Dame.

In this newly created Executive Vice President of Commercial Development position, Mr. Byrne will lead business and product development and operational efficiencies across Titan, and will also serve as a critical member of the Company's Corporate Development/M&A team.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Titan at an exciting stage of its development," said Mr. Byrne. "With its strong industry reputation and the resources and support from Vestar Capital and Windhover Capital, Titan is well positioned to become a true leader in a fragmented market. I am eager to drive new innovations and help grow the Company."

About Titan Frozen Fruit
Based in Santa Maria, CA and founded in 2013, Titan is a market leading, value-added food ingredient manufacturer and fruit processor. The Company buys berries from a network of large commercial growers in California and Baja California and processes the berries into a variety of pack styles (aseptic and pasteurized purées, purée concentrate, thermal particulate, individual quick frozen and block quick frozen). Titan sells the processed berries to a diversified roster of food and beverage manufacturers, foodservice/QSRs and retail/club stores. For more information on Titan, please visit www.titanfrozen.com.

About Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners is a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams and private owners to build long-term enterprise value, with a focus on Consumer, Business & Technology Services and Healthcare. Since inception in 1988, Vestar funds have invested over $11 billion in 92 companies – as well as more than 200 add-on acquisitions – with a total value of approximately $52 billion. For more information on Vestar, please visit www.vestarcapital.com.

About Windhover Capital
Windhover Capital is a food, beverage, pet and consumer focused private equity firm based in SeattleMilwaukee and New York. Windhover's strategy is to partner with management teams and owners to build strategic value, improve profitability and accelerate growth. For more information on Windhover, please visit www.windhovercap.com.

 


Logo for Don Edwards.

Edward Don & Company Announces Sale to Sysco

WOODRIDGE, IL – October 11, 2023 – Edward Don & Company (“DON”), a leading distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies since 1921, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Sysco Corporation. This partnership will allow DON to enhance its product offerings, expand strategic capabilities and provide even greater value to our customers while creating new and exciting
opportunities for our associates.

Upon completion of the transaction, DON will operate as a standalone specialty division within Sysco. Steve Don will continue to manage the business along with DON’s leadership team. All DON’s current employees will continue business as usual across North America, providing customers with the great level of service and products that they have come to expect from DON.

“Since 1921, DON has put customers first, delivering everything but the food,” said Steve Don, CEO & President. “In Sysco, we found a partner who not only understands our business but also has a deep appreciation for the customers, employees, and culture that have made us who we are today. Customers can expect the same high level of foodservice expertise, customer service, innovation and a deeper product selection from DON as we move forward as a specialty division within Sysco.” The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and William Blair served as joint lead financial advisors to Edward Don & Company and Vestar Capital Partners.

About Edward Don & Company
Owned and operated by the Don family since 1921 and partnered with Vestar Capital Partners since 2017, Edward Don & Company is a leading distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies. Headquartered in Woodridge, IL, the company is the chosen supplier to all types of foodservice businesses including independent restaurants, national chains, health care, hospitality, country clubs, schools and universities, government institutions and foodservice management. DON, with approximately 1,200 employees, operates a nationwide distribution network supported by seven full-service distribution centers – in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle – and operates its own transportation fleet. DON serves national and multi-unit account programs with flexible, customized solutions that meet the needs of both the corporate office and the individual units. DON’s Foodservice Equipment Division offers full-service kitchen design, equipment purchasing and installation. For more information, please visit www.don.com.


Tech24 Partners with Big Fish

GREENVILLE, SC, October 5, 2023—Tech24, a national industry leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, has partnered with Big Fish, a provider of  commercial HVAC, refrigeration and kitchen equipment installation and repair service throughout Texas.

Based in Buda, Texas, Big Fish specializes in the installation, repair, maintenance and replacement of HVAC, refrigeration, and hot side kitchen equipment for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other commercial facilities located across Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and the surrounding areas of Texas.

“Texas is among the largest markets for our services and is a strategic priority for Tech24. Big Fish has grown significantly in recent years and their culture and values are strongly aligned with those of Tech24. We are excited to welcome Daryl Mika and his team to the Tech24 family,” said Tech24’s CEO, Dan Rodstrom. Daryl Mika, President of Big Fish added, “Partnering with Tech24 will provide Big Fish even greater access to the resources we need to continue delivering high quality service to all our customers. We look forward to working with Tech24’s other Texas-based companies to offer the best technical training in the industry.”


Tech24 Announces Joint Investment from Vestar Capital Partners and HCI Equity Partners

GREENVILLE, S.C.Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech24 (or "the Company"), a national leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, announced today that Vestar Capital Partners ("Vestar") has joined as a new investor alongside existing shareholders HCI Equity Partners ("HCI") and the Company's management team.

The new investment will support Tech24's continued organic and acquisitive growth in new and existing geographies and end markets. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Greenville, SC, Tech24 provides comprehensive repair and preventive maintenance solutions for commercial refrigeration, cooking, beverage, and HVAC equipment. Tech24 currently services over 50 major markets in 26 states, and its diverse customer base includes restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, retailers, schools and universities, and corporate and government facilities. The Company has completed 19 acquisitions since 2020.

"Vestar's deep experience in both commercial facilities services and the foodservice end market, as well as its track record in partnership-oriented sponsor recapitalizations, positions the firm as a perfect partner for Tech24 as we look to find new ways to accelerate growth," said Dan Rodstrom, CEO of Tech24. "We are pleased to welcome Vestar and are eager to work alongside their team and our existing investor HCI as we focus on our active acquisition pipeline."

"Tech24 has an impressive national footprint and a proven track record of delivering high-quality, mission-critical services to its customers," said Nikhil Bhat and Jake Olson, Managing Directors at Vestar. "We are excited to partner with management and HCI to leverage our sector expertise and 35 years of investing experience to enable the Company to capitalize on its numerous attractive growth opportunities."

"We are proud of the transformational growth and the foundation the Tech24 team has built over the last three years," said Doug McCormick, Managing Partner at HCI Equity Partners. "We believe Tech24 has differentiated itself both as a service provider and an acquirer in the highly fragmented commercial food equipment repair market and we are excited for the next phase of growth with the Vestar team."

Solomon Partners served as financial advisor and Quarles & Brady LLP served as the legal advisor to Tech24 and HCI. TD Cowen acted as financial advisor, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Vestar.

About Tech24
Tech24 is the industry leader in commercial foodservice equipment repair and maintenance, providing quick and comprehensive repair and preventive maintenance solutions for commercial refrigeration, cooking, beverage, and HVAC equipment. Founded in 1982 in Greenville, SC, Tech24 currently services over 50 major markets in 26 states from coast to coast and employs over 850 highly qualified service technicians that are equipped with the tools, technology and training they need to get the job done right. To learn more about Tech24, visit https://www.mytech24.com/.

About HCI
HCI Equity Partners is a lower market private equity firm focused on partnering with family and founder-owned distribution, manufacturing and service companies. HCI is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.hciequity.com.


Logo for Roland.

Vestar Capital-backed Roland Foods Acquires ifiGOURMET, a Provider of High-quality Products for the Bakery and Pastry Industries

NEW YORKAug. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Roland Foods, LLC ("Roland Foods"), a purveyor of fine global ingredients for over 85 years and a portfolio company of Vestar Capital Partners, announced today that it has acquired ifiGOURMET, a leading importer and master distributor of high-quality products for professional use in the bakery, pastry, confectionery, and ice cream industries. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ifiGOURMET will be combined with AUI Fine Foods, Roland Foods' sweet division, and ifiGOURMET's owner and CEO Rick Brownstein will remain with the company going forward.

"This strategic acquisition will strengthen AUI Fine Foods' footprint in the key Chicago and San Francisco markets and expands our sweet product offering, which will allow us to better serve existing and new customers nationwide," said Keith Dougherty, CEO of Roland Foods. "We believe tremendous opportunities exist in the gourmet food and ingredients market today, and the addition of the ifiGOURMET team will better position Roland Foods for growth."

An importer of gourmet dessert products and ingredients from around the world, ifiGOURMET serves more than 1,500 in-store bakery, restaurant chain and foodservice customers nationwide. It operates two distribution centers in Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA.

"We are proud to support Roland Foods' expansion with the acquisition of ifiGOURMET, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Keith and the entire Roland Foods and AUI Fine Foods team as they continue to identify new strategic acquisition opportunities," said Ken O'Keefe, Vestar Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, and Member of the Board of Roland Foods.

"Joining AUI Fine Foods and the Roland Foods' family will provide ifiGOURMET with the resources and relationships needed to take our organization to the next level," said Mr. Brownstein. "Roland Foods and AUI share our culture and strong commitment to customer service and deeply understand our business, and we're excited about the future."

About Roland Foods
Since 1934, Roland Foods has been a purveyor of premium, high-quality global ingredients. With a curated portfolio of over 2,400 products carefully sourced worldwide, the brand is a trusted resource relied upon by chefs and home cooks. An established brand in the Fine Foods category, Roland Foods aims to inspire culinary curiosity and creativity in the kitchen. To learn more about Roland Foods, please visit https://rolandfoods.com/


Circana Appoints Anne Bramman as Chief Financial and Growth Officer

CHICAGO – June 6, 2023  Circana, the world’s leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today announced the appointment of Anne Bramman as chief financial and growth officer, effective June 20. As a member of Circana’s executive leadership team, Bramman will lead both the finance and strategy teams, identifying new ways for the company to continue achieving sustainable growth.

“Anne is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success leading the finance strategy for global, consumer brand organizations,” said Kirk Perry, CEO of Circana. “Her perspective and leadership will be incredibly valuable as we continue to unlock the full potential of Circana for all of our stakeholders. We are thrilled to welcome Anne to our team, and I look forward to working closely with her to execute our bold vision for growth and value creation.”

“I am proud to be joining Circana at such an exciting time for the company,” said Anne Bramman. “Circana has built a strong foundation for growth – with unique capabilities, vast data assets, industry-leading technology, and best-in-class talent – backed by renowned investors. I look forward to partnering with Kirk and the Circana Board and leadership team to continue Circana’s momentum.”

Perry added, “On behalf of the Circana Board and leadership team, I want to thank Holly Knightly, who has served as Circana’s interim CFO since November 2022, for her tremendous work as interim CFO. We are grateful that Circana will continue to benefit from Holly’s expertise as a senior leader within our finance organization moving forward.”

About Anne Bramman

Bramman is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of experience in senior financial roles at consumer branded companies. She joins Circana from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she worked as a senior advisor. Prior to that, Bramman served as CFO of Nordstrom, Inc. from 2017 to 2022, where she led financial strategy and operations, private label credit card operations, business development, and strategic sourcing, delivering significant profit opportunities for the company. Before Nordstrom, Bramman served as CFO of Avery Dennison Corporation and Carnival Cruise Line after serving in senior financial roles at L Brands Inc. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of McCormick & Company and is a member of its Audit committee.

Bramman has earned numerous notable awards for her achievements throughout her career, including being named a member of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and named the 2019 CFO of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal. She received a BBA in accounting from Texas Christian University and an MBA from University of California, Los Angeles.


Nox Health Acquires Somryst, the Only FDA-Cleared Digital Insomnia Treatment

ALPHARETTA, Ga. , May 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Nox Health, a global sleep health leader, has acquired Somryst, the first FDA-cleared Prescription Digital Therapeutic (PDT) that delivers effective, first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. This acquisition deepens the Nox value-based healthcare programs, as it seeks to reframe sleep as a critical and powerful intervention strategy for chronic health conditions management.

“The acquisition of Somryst aligns seamlessly with Nox's mission of promoting science-based solutions that address chronic diseases through sleep care management. As an outcomes-driven company with ten years of real-world data, it was important for us to find a solution with equal depth in validation and outcomes data, thereby setting it apart from other CBT-I solutions,” said Sigurjon Kristjansson, CEO of Nox Health.

Insomnia is a highly prevalent complaint associated with significant adverse health outcomes. CBT-I is recognized as the treatment of choice, but it remains underutilized due to lack of therapists with adequate CBT-I expertise. By delivering CBT-I via a mobile application, Somryst offers health care providers a novel treatment delivery modality to enhance the treatment of chronic insomnia for patients who lack access to clinician-delivered CBT-I.

Use of Somryst durably improves insomnia symptoms in adults with chronic insomnia who do not have contraindicated sleep, medical, and/or psychiatric disorders. Pivotal study results show that over 40% of Somryst-treated patients no longer met criteria for chronic insomnia post- treatment, and over 60% demonstrated a clinically meaningful insomnia treatment response with no adverse events reported.

With outcomes that speak for themselves, Somryst represents a promising clinical modality for the treatment of adults with chronic insomnia who are receiving standard outpatient care.

Nox aims to bring Somryst to a wider audience, starting with its existing Enterprise client base and expanding to other opportunities throughout their business. This marks a major milestone in the Nox growth journey and will further scale their future success.


360training Acquires ACLS Medical Training & Safety Provisions - Extending Healthcare & EHS Offerings

AUSTIN, TexasMay 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 360training, a leading online regulated training provider, has acquired ACLS Medical Training and Safety Provisions (owners of the brand Hard Hat Training), two well-respected providers of medical training and workplace safety, respectively. Through these acquisitions, 360training will accelerate it's goal of helping to provide  safer, more productive work environments that protect employees and customers, benefiting everyone.

By integrating the content and expertise of ACLS Medical Training and Safety Provisions into its existing platform, 360training will provide learners with an even more comprehensive range of courses and certifications across multiple industries. Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training, explains what drew him to these companies:

"We are excited to welcome ACLS Medical Training and Safety Provisions to the 360training family. Their expertise in workplace safety and medical training complements our existing offerings and strengthens our position as a leading provider of online training solutions."

The acquisitions are part of 360training's strategic growth plan to expand its course offerings and reach more learners across different industries. "Our mission at 360training is to help improve, inform, and maintain the condition, health, and safety of all workers, and our passion is universal. The acquisition with ACLS and Safety Provisions will aid us in reaching more workers than ever before," adds Samantha Montalbano, COO Health and Safety Advocate of 360training.

With a more extensive course catalog and a wider range of certifications, the company is well positioned to help learners across multiple industries achieve their professional goals and meet regulatory requirements. 360training is supported in it's growth initiatives through the strategic equity partnership with GreyLion Partners LP and Vestar Capital Partners.

Why Choose Safety Provisions?

360training acquired Safety Provisions mainly because the same goals fundamentally drive the two companies. They share the mission of reducing workplace accidents and fatalities by providing easily accessible, high-quality online safety training solutions.

In addition, all Safety Provisions courses are:

  • OSHA Compliant
  • User Friendly
  • 100% Online
  • Affordably Priced

Why Choose ACLS Medical Training?

ACLS Medical Training's online courses are crafted with the same care and attention to detail that 360training demands for all its courses. By acquiring ACLS Medical Training, 360training adds to its library of healthcare courses, with the additions of the following courses for medical professionals:

  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
  • Basic Life Support
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program

About Safety Provisions

Safety Provisions, Inc. is dedicated to improving workplace safety through comprehensive training and promoting an engaging safety culture. The company is best known for establishing the brand Hard Hat Training. With a vision to eliminate accidents and fatalities in the workplace and an elite team of EHS experts, Hard Hat Training offers instruction and training resources to companies of all sizes.

About ACLS Medical Training

ACLS Medical Training empowers individual paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians to improve safety in hospitals. Their goal is to teach medical professionals in an innovative learning experience that helps to enhance the systems of care that save lives.

Hennepin Partners acted as ACLS Medical Training's exclusive advisor through this acquisition.


IRI and NPD Rebrand as Circana, the Leading Advisor on the Complexity of Consumer Behavior

[CHICAGO] – March 7, 2023 – Following their merger in August 2022, Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI") and The NPD Group ("NPD") today unveiled a new combined company name and brand identity: Circana.

Circana™ is the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through unparalleled technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data and deep expertise, Circana provides clarity that helps clients take action and unlock business growth.

“We are proud to begin this new chapter together as Circana, a name that conveys our 360-degree, full-circle understanding of the consumer and market, and our unique ability to bring clients a complete view of the consumer, store and wallet,” said Kirk Perry, president and chief executive officer, Circana (formerly IRI® and NPD®). “In today’s dynamic global retail and media environment, our value proposition has never been stronger. Circana is undeniably best positioned to advise the world’s leading brands and retailers across almost every industry on how to identify opportunity, ignite innovation and grow well into the future.”

Leveraging the vast data and expertise of its heritage firms, Circana tracks millions of products spanning 2,000+ categories across 500,000+ stores in 20 countries, with insights powered by the industry’s most advanced technology platform, Liquid Data®. Today, Circana advises almost 7,000 brands and retailers worldwide.

Tod Johnson, chairman of Circana’s board of directors, added, “The combination of IRI and NPD created a category of one. In the months since the merger, we have demonstrated — for our clients and for our team — the immense value of bringing our firms together. Moving forward with a unified name and brand signifies that Circana is committed to delivering on the full value of our powerful combination for all of our stakeholders, with a relentless focus on innovation and growth.” The Circana brand was created in partnership with global brand consulting firm Landor & Fitch.