FOOD & AGRICULTURE

Agriculture, Food, and related industries in the U.S., according to USDA statistics, produced more than $1.1 trillion in Gross Domestic Product in 2019. JANAS professionals have served clients at many levels of the Food and Agriculture Industry including contract food manufacturers and processors, farms and ranches, restaurant operators, franchisors, and retail brand consumer food products.

JANAS brings its in-depth knowledge about how to operate in an Industry vulnerable to swings in ingredient and commodity prices. We have helped our client’s access capital, make acquisitions, and receive premium valuations on sale. JANAS has a proprietary database of more than 1,000 prospective Food and Agriculture Industry buyers with whom we are in regular contact.

JANAS professionals have served clients at many levels of the Industry from farm to table – including vegetable farming, livestock production, grain and hay, and fruit and berries, among others.

Swings in farm commodity prices provide challenges that require JANAS to help clients access capital, make acquisitions, and receive premium pricing when they choose to sell. JANAS contacts include Private Equity Group and Strategic buyers that make acquisitions to extend geographical reach and commodity variety.

Focus on specific segments of the Automotive Retail Services Industry has placed JANAS at the center of Industry consolidations. Chevron Corporation invited JANAS professionals to speak at a Distributors Convention. Major Oil Companies were seeking the consolidation of distributors, an effort in which JANAS served many client companies. The Petroleum Distribution Industry is well understood by JANAS.

JANAS served Quick Lube owners in their efforts to sell their operations or expand through acquisitions. Many companies in the Industry have been acquired and combined; however, the Industry continues to have opportunities.

Automotive Collision Repair companies vary from one-shop to large, multi-location conglomerates. Members of the JANAS team have served owners of both large and small players in this industry segment. A JANAS Managing Director was a member of the team that sold Caliber Collision.

JANAS REPRESENTATIVE CLIENT ASSIGNMENTS

King Cheese Corporation, a family-owned Food Processing company facing second generation management challenges engaged JANAS to address family ownership issues. In addition to establishing a buyout formula of a family member’s interest, JANAS provided analysis of damages in a successful claim against a competitor.

Muranaka Farm, Inc., a Grower and Marketer of Bunch Vegetables, contracted JANAS to address financial challenges of market and management issues. JANAS determined that the Company was not saleable. A Texas based investment group had acquired a portfolio of loans from a local bank that included an eight-figure loan to Muranaka. JANAS negotiated with the owner of the debt and obtained a 22.5% principal discount. Muranaka took advantage of the debt settlement and returned to significant profitability. JANAS has continued to provide services to Muranaka for more than a decade.

Daesang America, Inc., a subsidiary of Daesang Korea and a $2.5 Billion Global Manufacturer of Sauces & Ingredients, engaged JANAS to identify potential acquisitions in North America. Based on specific search criteria, JANAS identified 12 potential sauce manufacturers located across the U.S. that met the acquisition criteria of the client in products, markets, and annual sales.

American Draft Equipment, LLC, a Draft Beer Equipment Suppliers, contracted JANAS to negotiate the sale as a 100% Leveraged Buyout. The Company was acquired by a U.S. subsidiary of Micro Matic Holdings, A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark.

JANAS was engaged to negotiate with lenders. Working Capital and Term Debt of Burbank Bar & Grill, Inc. were renegotiated. JANAS advised management in enhancement of financial reporting.

JANAS was contacted by Northern Trust to resolve the financial distress for Genesis Growers, a Seedling Propagator and Florist. Genesis was approaching bankruptcy when JANAS was engaged. JANAS coordinated debt workout negotiations between Northern Trust, the lender, and the Owner of Genesis. JANAS provided direction for a distress sale on the nursery stock. No bankruptcy was filed and the lender released the owner’s personal guarantee.

Rivercrest Ranches, Inc., and Coweta Farms, LP Georgia affiliates acquired and leased more than 100,000 acres of ranch and farmland in eight separate properties. Operations included cattle production, feed and grain farming, and timber production. Two of the properties were subdivided. The properties were sold profitably.

Desert Valley Date, Inc., was engaged by the company to sell and present a contract to produce Trail Mix for a U.S. Government program to feed needy, elderly recipients. JANAS generated eight offers. The owner retained the company after his son agreed to join Desert Valley.

Testimonials

Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients.
A testimonial is no guarantee of future performance or success.

JANAS has performed services for Muranaka for more than a decade. JANAS renegotiated our real estate and credit line debt with an excellent result. JANAS worked with us to resolve farmland and environmental issues. The firm identified Appraisers to determine the financial value of the company. JANAS has become a Trusted Advisor.

Harry Muranaka

Chairman Co-Owner, Muranaka
Farm Inc.

JANAS changed my view of real estate to focus on ranching. As a result of their ideas, we acquired more than 100,000 acres of Montana ranch land, ran 5,000 mother cows, and hired many cowboys. Over a decade, we operated and sold those ranches profitably.

Charles R. “Chuck” Stelling

Principal Broker, Stelling &
Associates, Missoula, Montana

I was hired to manage the operations of Hillview Farm and Mountain Creek in Georgia, properties with 1,200 acres of farmland and timberland. I reported to JANAS’ Chairman, Carter Freeman, who knew what was needed and provided direction. We cleaned up the properties and successfully bred a commercial cattle herd. My time as Farm Manager was an important learning experience.

Kim Mobley

Farm Manager, Hillview Farm and
Mountain Creek Farm, Coweta
County, Georgia