CFS Brands Shakes Up Offerings

With only one week until The NAFEM Show, two exhibitors are already linking up. On Feb. 19, CFS Brands announced its acquisition of Mercer Culinary.

Ronkonkoma, NY-based Mercer Culinary, founded in 1976, offers cutlery, kitchen tools, bar supplies and apparel. The brand will continue to operate as stand-alone entity within CFS Brands, and customers and suppliers will continue to interact with CFS Brands and Mercer Culinary as they have in the past, notes a release.

“The combination of Mercer Culinary and CFS Brands will give customers even further access to the broadest and deepest lineup of products and solutions to enhance their business,” says CFS Brands CEO Trent Freiberg. “We are excited to work with the leadership team at Mercer, and we welcome all Mercer employees to CFS Brands.”

Michael Wallick, founder and CEO of Mercer Culinary says, “The growth of Mercer over the past 30-plus years has been incredibly satisfying to my brothers and me. It is a testament to the great staff we have assembled and their efforts to grow the business to where it is today. We are excited to see the next chapter under CFS ownership.”

Mercer Chief Operating Officer David Wasserman adds, “This is a tremendous opportunity to elevate the Mercer and Barfly brands even further. The future looks very bright, and we cannot wait to get started on our new path.”

The integration process will be gradual as the two companies work to develop a deep understanding of the businesses, brands, teams, and respective strengths and opportunities.