Purity Life Health Products LP has acquired the assets of Horizon Distributors Ltd., PSC Natural Foods Ltd., and Ontario Natural Food Company Inc., consolidating four established companies into one of Canada’s largest full-service distributors of natural and organic grocery and wellness products.
The combined business will operate under the Purity Life name with two divisions: Purity Life Grocery and Purity Life Wellness. Horizon chief executive Terri Newell will lead the new grocery division.
“Together with Horizon, PSC and ONFC, Purity Life is proud to build a 100% Canadian-owned, full-service distributor,” said Matthew James, president and CEO of Purity Life.
The deal expands Purity Life’s geographic reach. Horizon, founded in 1976 and based in Burnaby, British Columbia, is a leading distributor of organic and natural grocery products in Western Canada. PSC Natural Foods, based in Victoria, British Columbia, has served Vancouver Island since 1978. Ontario Natural Food Company, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, distributes a broad selection of organic and natural foods in Eastern Canada.
Ronald Francisco, president and majority shareholder of Horizon, PSC and ONFC, said the combination creates a stronger national platform. “The companies share similar values and are focused on serving customers and vendor partners with excellence while being an employer of choice,” he said. “Together, the companies are a strong complement and will create a leading distributor to progress the organic and natural grocery and wellness industry in Canada.”
Banyan Capital Partners, which owns a majority stake in Purity Life, is backing the expansion. “These companies have deep roots and strong connections across Canada’s natural food industry, and we are thrilled to bring that legacy into the Purity Life family,” said Jeff Wigle, managing director and group head at Banyan.
Founded in 1984, Purity Life distributes more than 12,000 natural health products from over 400 brands. The company said the transaction strengthens its ability to provide national service and logistics for retailers and vendors while continuing to focus on the natural foods and wellness sector.
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