Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC (“DCF”) acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Specialty Commodities, Inc. (“SCI”), a portfolio company of Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison, Inc. (“GHJ&M”), in its sale to Archer Daniels Midland Company (“ADM”).  SCI is a leading originator, processor and distributor of specialty ingredients, including natural and organic nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes, and ancient grains.  SCI will become part of ADM’s new WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit. 

“DCF’s deep transaction and industry experience added value throughout the entire sale process.  DCF’s sector knowledge was vital to us finding the right partner in ADM.  SCI’s suppliers, colleagues and customers will benefit from ADM’s world-class innovation, supply-chain and manufacturing capabilities.  And with our complementary geographies, similar business models, and shared focus on quality and customers, we see a bright future for the business,” said Larry Leitner, founding partner and CEO of SCI.   

“SCI spent 25 years honing its imported and domestic specialty ingredient sourcing and quality assurance business.  SCI’s continued investment in diverse offerings in the specialty ingredient sector allowed us to position the company as an industry leader and differentiated platform for ADM’s consideration,” said Lorin DeMordaunt, managing director and Consumer and Retail group lead, Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC.
 
For over 25 years, SCI has offered a full line of natural and organic products such as nuts, seeds, ancient grains, spices, dehydrated fruits and other ingredients.  Its corporate headquarters is in Fargo, North Dakota; it has two processing facilities in California, locations in New Jersey, Illinois, and Minnesota, and does business in countries including China, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, India, South Africa, and Australia.

For more than a century, the people of ADM have transformed crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world.  Today, ADM is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with more than 33,000 employees serving customers in more than 140 countries. 

GHJ&M was founded in 1989 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  For over twenty years GHJ&M has been a source of private capital to leading lower middle market companies located in the Midwest.  GHJ&M’s investment philosophy centers on the principle of partnership. 

Deloitte Corporate Finance provides strategic advisory services and M&A advice that help corporate, entrepreneurial and private equity clients create and act upon opportunities for liquidity, growth and long-term advantage. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to a global network of investment bankers, we help clients confidently pursue strategic transactions in both domestic and global markets.