A. Buchholtz & Company Represents Carbonella & DeSarbo, Inc.

New York, New York – July 20, 2022 – A. Buchholtz & Company (“AB&C”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of its client, Carbonella & DeSarbo, Inc. (the “Company”), by Native New England, Inc. (dba “Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods”), a portfolio company of RLJ Equity Partners. 

Carbonella & DeSarbo is one of New England’s largest distributors of fruits, vegetables and specialty items. Based in Branford, Connecticut, the Company is known for product freshness and exceptional customer service. Founded in 1969, Carbonella & DeSarbo sells to a variety of wholesalers, schools, food processors, manufacturers, restaurants, food retailers and assisted living facilities throughout the Northeast. 

Carbonella’s sister company, Paramount Produce Brokerage, LLC, was also included in the sale. Paramount sources produce, primarily avocadoes, for other brokerages, distributors, processors and retailers.

Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, Native Maine is a leading wholesale food distributor serving businesses in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The company delivers fresh produce, dairy, meats and specialty foods, stocking over 3,000 food products from Maine and around the globe.

The deal presents an exciting geographic expansion opportunity for both companies and is expected to yield millions of dollars in cost savings due to procurement synergies. Carbonella & DeSarbo’s owners are looking forward to working with Native Maine to drive strategic growth and roll-out new offerings such as a fresh pre-cut product line. 

About RLJ Equity Partners

RLJ Equity Partners is a Maryland-based middle-market private equity firm focused on generating long-term capital appreciation by investing in profitable and growing businesses. Founded in 2006 by Robert L. Johnson and The Carlyle Group, RLJ invests in traditional buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital infusions. The firm seeks to invest in high-quality companies led by skilled and motivated executives. The RLJ team has collectively invested over $1 billion in 51 transactions at top-tier private equity firms.

About A. Buchholtz & Company

A. Buchholtz & Company is an M&A and financing advisory firm headquartered in New York whose clients include business owners, entrepreneurs, private equity firms, corporations and investors worldwide. The firm custom tailors each strategic assignment with the objective of creating multiple attractive opportunities for every client. AB&C’s professionals have advised on more than $3 billion of transactions. A. Buchholtz & Company recently placed #13 on Axial’s Q1 2022 ranking of the Top 25 Lower Middle Market Investment Banking Firms.

For more information about A. Buchholtz & Company, please contact:

Andrew J. Buchholtz
President
A. Buchholtz & Company, LLC
917-209-1642
www.abuchholtz.com