Buitoni Food Co., formed in June after private-equity firm Brynwood Partners bought the North American Buitoni pasta business from food giant Nestlé, has named its new CEO.
Peter Wilson, who also becomes president of the new company, moves across from Brynwood itself, where he was a managing director.
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Prior to joining Brynwood, Wilson was president and CEO of Brynwood portfolio companies including DeMet’s Candy Company and Balance Bar Company. He was also responsible for the “oversight of the operation” of Joseph Frozen Foods which was divested by Brynwood in 2019.
Henk Hartong, Brynwood Partners’ chairman and CEO, said: “Peter has been an amazing leader at Brynwood Partners and our portfolio companies. His extensive background in managing companies with complex manufacturing operations in the food and snack sectors will immediately benefit the Buitoni business.”
Wilson said: “We have a strong group of experienced executives who have previously reignited similar brands with great heritage. With Brynwood’s support, I am honoured to lead this management team as we innovate and build on the famous Buitoni foundation of great tasting, authentic, high quality foods while leveraging the capabilities of our Danville, Virginia, facility,”
At Buitoni, Wilson will be leading a senior management team comprised of several Brynwood veterans. Chris Conley has joined as Buitoni’s chief financial officer after previously working at Brynwood and, prior to that, at Brynwood’s portfolio company Newhall Laboratories.
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By GlobalDataJim Gerbo has joined the company as its chief marketing officer. Most recently, he was CMO for Brynwood’s SunnyD business. Jonathan Ryckman has joined Buitoni Foods as its president of sales. He worked previously for two Brynwood portfolio companies, DeMet’s Candy Company and Balance Bar Company.
Stamford, Connecticut-based Buitoni was founded in 1827 in Italy and introduced to the US in 1941. It is best known for its refrigerated pasta, sauces and cheese products.
