NORWALK, Conn., December 14, 2023 – Heartwood Partners®, a leading middle market private equity firm, continues its strategic growth trajectory with the successful completion of a majority investment in Bush Brothers Provision Co. (“Bush Brothers” or the “Company”). The investment, finalized on July 7, 2023, was made through Heartwood Partners IV, LP, marking a significant expansion of the Heartwood Partners portfolio within the food and distribution sectors.
Bush Brothers, a distinguished fifth-generation family-operated business, has secured a robust partnership with Heartwood Partners while maintaining significant family ownership. Curtis Bush, President and fifth-generation owner of Bush Brothers, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are incredibly excited to partner with Heartwood Partners as we embark on our next phase of growth. Their proven approach to building strong financial foundations and their expertise in scaling businesses are perfectly aligned with our ambitions to accelerate our growth initiatives. It’s clear that Heartwood Partners values the unique aspects of Bush Brothers within our industry and wholeheartedly supports our dedication to exceptional customer service and the preservation of our family business ethos.”
Headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL, Bush Brothers specializes in providing premium protein products to an exclusive clientele. Their customer base includes high-end dining establishments, luxury hotels, prestigious country clubs, mega yachts, and private chefs throughout Florida and the Caribbean. As a USDA-inspected processing facility, Bush Brothers guarantees the highest standards in sourcing and handling protein products. Their meticulous process includes expert portioning, trimming, and packaging to meet the precise demands of each customer, all delivered with unparalleled craftsmanship and service. For more information on the rich history and product offerings of Bush Brothers, please visit www.bush-brothers.com.
Ed Tan, Partner at Heartwood Partners, commented on the strategic alignment and future potential: “Bush Brothers has cultivated nearly a century of expertise in the protein industry, establishing itself as the preferred distribution partner for the most discerning fine-dining clients in Florida and the Caribbean. Heartwood Partners is committed to investing in the Company’s future expansion by collaborating with management to rapidly scale production capabilities. This strategic partnership will enable Bush Brothers to broaden its product offerings to existing clients and extend its successful business model to new customers across Florida and beyond.”
Heartwood Partners: A Leader in Middle Market Private Equity
Heartwood Partners (www.heartwoodpartners.com), based in Norwalk, Connecticut, has been a prominent player in the middle market private equity sector since its inception in 1982. Distinguished by its unique investment philosophy, Heartwood Partners employs a lower-leverage, distribution-yield focused approach to private equity. This strategy fosters genuine equity partnerships with existing management teams, ensuring continuity and shared success. Heartwood Partners combines this prudent capital structure with strategic execution to drive sustained growth, supporting both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions into new product lines, service areas, and markets. Currently managing over $1.7 billion in investments and commitments, the principals at Heartwood Partners have a strong track record, having invested in over 100 platform and add-on acquisitions. The firm is currently deploying capital from Heartwood Partners Fund IV, LP, which closed in September 2023 and is specifically focused on partnering with family and management-owned businesses across diverse sectors, including industrial manufacturing, specialty chemicals, packaging, food and agriculture, distribution, and industrial and environmental services.
Bush Brothers Provision Company: A Legacy of Quality and Service
Bush Brothers Provision Company (www.bush-brothers.com) represents five generations of dedication to meat packing and distribution excellence in West Palm Beach, FL, since 1925. The Company provides consistent delivery services throughout Florida and extends its reach with export services to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Bush Brothers specializes in premium, center-of-the-plate protein offerings, encompassing beef, poultry, lamb, pork, and wild game. Since its founding, Bush Brothers has relentlessly pursued a reputation built on exceptional quality and outstanding service. The Company proudly serves a prestigious clientele, including some of the nation’s most luxurious hotels, exclusive country clubs, top-tier restaurants, and selective private chefs, solidifying its position as a leader in premium protein distribution.
| CONTACT: | Name: Michelle Ryan |
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| Email: [email protected] | |
| Phone: 203-945-0432 |
