Top Canadian Dealers Russell And Hendrix Combine Forces

Canada’s two largest foodservice equipment dealers, Hendrix Hotel & Restaurant Equipment and Supplies and Russell Food Equipment, have united into one company: Russell Hendrix Foodservice Equipment.

The merger comes about after Blue Point Capital Partners acquired a controlling interest in Brockville, Ontario-based Hendrix.

“The complementary geographic exposure, product diversification and sales structure is game changing for our current platform investment in Russell,” says Mark Morris, a partner with Blue Point. “The combined company will be positioned as the market leader in the Canadian foodservice and equipment and supplies distribution industry, over four times larger than the next biggest competitor. We expect this merger to be transformative for both companies, as it will position the combined, seasoned management team to considerably expand capabilities and achieve greater growth.”

The merger accelerates the combined company’s ongoing expansion strategy. Hendrix, founded in 1981, has nine locations and three distribution centers. Russell Food Equipment, founded in 1938, is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It operates out of fourteen distribution and three manufacturing facilities located across Canada. It offers equipment, supplies, parts and services to more than 20,000 foodservice operators there.

Russell Hendrix CEO Larry Vander Baaren, adds, “Russell has been a leader in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry for over 75 years due to its comprehensive capabilities. The combination of Russell and Hendrix is a highly strategic, value-enhancing step that brings together the unique strengths of two great companies to deliver best-in-class capabilities. We are thrilled about the opportunities this merger will create for our customers, as well as our employees and business partners.”

Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm with offices in Cleveland, Charlotte, Seattle and Shanghai.