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Ben E Keith will acquire Kelley Foods of Alabama

Sept. 9, 2016

Ben E Keith Foods plans to purchase Kelley Foods of Alabama. The acquisition includes all assets of Kelley Foods including the Elba AL distribution center and manufacturing division, which produces sausages and hams, as well as other custom products under the Kelley Foods name.

Ben E Keith Foods plans to purchase Kelley Foods of Alabama. The acquisition includes all assets of Kelley Foods including the Elba AL distribution center and the manufacturing division, which produces sausages and hams, as well as other custom products under the Kelley Foods name. Closing is expected to occur September 30, 2016.

“The acquisition of Kelley Foods of Alabama allows Ben E Keith Foods to continue its expansion into the Southeast, serving new and existing customers, and providing additional opportunity for our employees and partners,” said Mike Sweet, president of Ben E Keith Foods. “Our organizations share many core values including similar visions and missions, a deep commitment to our employees, and an unwavering focus on serving our customers. We are excited to welcome all Kelley Foods employees into our organization and know we will achieve great success together.”

Founded in 1957, Kelley Foods is headquartered in Elba and services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. The company is owned and operated by the Kelley family, with Eddie Kelley serving as president and chief executive officer.

“As family-owned businesses, both Kelley Foods and Ben E Keith Foods strive to be trusted advisors and provide unmatched service to our customers, to treat our team members with dignity and respect, and to partner with vendors who support us and our customers. The Kelley Family is honored to be a part of the strategic expansion of the Ben E Keith Foods service area,” said Eddie Kelley.

Ben E Keith Foods will retain all current Kelley Foods employees. Eddie Kelley and Jerry Kelley, the vice-president of distribution, will serve as advisors during the transition and integration process. Scott Kelley, current vice-president of manufacturing, will continue to manage that division. Scott Davison of Ben E Keith Foods has been named general manager of the distribution division.

The distribution division will be renamed Ben E Keith Foods–Southeast Division in the coming months, while manufacturing operations will remain Kelley Foods, a division of Ben E Keith Foods.

Established in Fort Worth TX in 1906, Ben E Keith Foods is the nation’s eighth-largest broadline foodservice distributor and operates with eight divisions shipping to 12 US states.

Access www.benekeith.com for more information.