US-based Dessert Holdings has expanded its portfolio of desserts with the acquisition of Willamette Valley Pie Company.

Financial terms were not disclosed.  

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Minnesota-headquartered Dessert Holdings said the acquisition of pie and dessert products maker Willamette “complements” its range of products sold to retail and foodservice customers. 

Willamette offers consumers and retailers “highly customisable, hand-crafted” fruit pies, cobblers and desserts, Dessert Holdings.

Dessert Holdings, owned by Bain Capital since 2021, offers brands such as Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie and Lawler’s Desserts.  

Paul Lapadat, the CEO of Dessert Holdings, said: “Willamette holds a distinctive market position, having garnered a deeply loyal following, forged key connections with local growers and suppliers, and established long-standing relationships with leading retailers.”  

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The deal is an “incredible opportunity to support the company’s growth, bolster its retail relationships and drive expansion of its beloved products”, Lapadat added. 

Founded in 2001 in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Willamette will continue to operate under its management team, led by president Austin Kelly, who joined the company four years ago.

Kelly said: “We are incredibly proud of our heritage and how far we have come – growing into a trusted, distinctive partner for leading retailers nationwide.  

“Joining the Dessert Holdings platform is an exciting new chapter and we believe they share our passion and values to help us grow while staying true to who we are.” 

In May last year, Dessert Holdings’ snapped up Kenny’s Great Pies from investor Kaho Partners. Kenny’s, a manufacturer of cream-based pies, was established in 1989 and operates out of Smyrna, Georgia. 

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