November 2020
Chicago, Illinois
Cross Keys Capital acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to World Wide Farms, Inc. on this transaction.
Cross Keys Capital served as the exclusive M&A advisor to World Wide Farms, Inc. (“World Wide Farms” or the “Company”) in its equity recapitalization transaction with Osprey Capital, LLC. World Wide Farms is a leading provider of organic and conventional fresh herbs and select leafy greens to the grocery retail, food service and in-home meal kit channels in the Midwest. The combination of providing the highest quality, locally grown herbs and leafy greens together with the best globally sourced fresh herbs makes the company a unique and exceptional supplier in the Midwest.
“It is time to relinquish my day to day operating responsibilities and turn over the reins of the company I founded and built over these past years to Howard Roeder and Manuel Ochoa”, noted Vern Meyer. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life and staying connected to the team providing whatever support I can to ensure their continuing success.” Vern Meyer’s partners Howard Roeder and Manuel Ochoa both noted “We are excited to partner with Osprey and the Hoffman family to continue to grow our business and provide the highest quality culinary herbs and leafy greens with the highest level of service to all our customers. Osprey has valuable experience in farming and in food products and demonstrated success in supporting and growing businesses. We look forward to working with David Hoffman and his team”.
David Hoffmann, Principal and Founder of Osprey Capital, LLC, commented that “we are very excited to welcome World Wide Farms, Inc. to our family of operating companies and look forward to working with the team to continue their success and expand their business well into the future. As one of the premier culinary herb companies in the Midwest, World Wide Farms fits in perfectly with our family of ‘best in class’ operating businesses.”
In reflecting on the Cross Keys' process that resulted in World Wide Farms affiliation with Osprey Capital, Vern Meyer stated, "Cross Keys was exceptional in shepherding us [World Wide Farms] through this entire process. Leaving this type of transaction to a great professional team was our smartest move. Cross Keys’ wisdom, patience, coaching, and perseverance not only met but exceeded our expectations."
Roger Schoenfeld, Managing Director at Cross Keys, commented, "Our team was privileged to represent one of the oldest and the best culinary herb companies in the Midwest market. The Cross Keys team thoroughly enjoyed working with the partners of World Wide Farms in this transaction and wish them the best as they continue to operate the business into the future with a great partner, Osprey Capital.”
About Cross Keys Capital
Cross Keys Capital is a boutique middle market investment bank providing merger and acquisition advisory services to owners of established privately held businesses in the middle market in areas including healthcare, business services, manufacturing, distribution and information technology, among others. Cross Keys Capital has offices in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Chicago, IL and has closed over 145 transactions since 2010. For more information on Cross Keys Capital, please visit our website at www.ckcap.com or contact Roger Schoenfeld, Managing Director, at 847-732-2162 or Ross Schoenfeld, Vice President, at 847-732-9715.
