US-based Tropical Cheese Industries has appointed Victor Mehren as its new CEO, effective 2 September.
Mehren recently stepped down as the CEO of snacks and treats business Second Nature Brands, the US company he led since 2019.
Go deeper with GlobalData
While at Second Nature Brands, Mehren guided a “bold transformation that significantly increased revenue, expanded the brand portfolio, and delivered strong investor returns”, Tropical Cheese said in a statement.
He also oversaw the Kar’s Nuts trail mixes owner’s acquisition of the Voortman cookies brand from JM Smucker for $305m, a deal that included a factory and some 300 employees.
Before joining Second Nature Brands, Mehren held senior executive positions at Mars and Wrigley.
Founded in 1982, Tropical Cheese has evolved from a small milk delivery service in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, into a producer of Latin American and Caribbean-style cheese, meat, seafood and tortillas.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataTropical Cheese attracted backing last year from Avance Investment Management and AUA Private Equity Partners, with the Mendez family founders retaining a minority interest in the business.
The company is now “focused on expanding its reach, growing its portfolio, and becoming the undisputed leader in Hispanic dairy and adjacent food categories”, according to the statement.
Luis Zaldivar, managing partner of Avance, said: “With a strong track record of leading transformational growth for a number of iconic consumer goods brands, Vic brings the right mix of strategic vision, operational expertise, and cultural leadership to position Tropical as the market-leading producer and provider of Hispanic dairy products.”
As well as the US, Tropical Cheese supplies markets in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe, according to its website.
Commenting on his appointment, Mehren said: “Tropical Cheese is an iconic brand built on authenticity, quality, and deep cultural roots. I see tremendous opportunity to scale the Tropical Cheese platform nationally while staying true to what makes the business so special.”
