Lipari Acquires I & K Distributors

Lipari Foods, a leading Midwest food distributor based in Warren, Mich., has acquired Delphos, Ohio-based I & K Distributors.

The acquisition, which brings together two Midwest companies in a move that will yield a stronger product portfolio for customers, continues Lipari Foods’ strategic growth to be the leading perimeter distributor. I & K’s strong dairy case portfolio complements Lipari Foods’ current category offerings, further bolstering the combined companies' ability to service both Lipari and I & K customers.

“We see this as a win-win for us and the customer,” said Lipari Foods president/CEO Thom Lipari. “I & K is a perfect fit, since its go-to-market strategy and basic philosophy of servicing the customer are very similar to what we believe.”

Founded in 1963, Lipari Foods distributes a wide range of quality bakery, dairy, deli, packaging, seafood, grocery and confectionary products to nearly 5,000 customers in more than 11 states.

I & K Distributors, founded in 1966 with the purchase of the Yoder salad business, specializes in manufacturing and distributing salads to 75 customers on a single company truck. In 2012, I & K distributed 3,600 SKUs to more than 4,000 customers throughout six Midwest states.