Benford Capital Partners has recapitalized Gum Products International, Inc., marking the first investment from its $200 million Fund II, with a focus on driving growth in the B2B food ingredients market.

Target Information

Benford Capital Partners (BCP), a private equity firm based in Chicago, has recently recapitalized Gum Products International, Inc. (GPI) in a strategic partnership with CEO and Founder Kenneth Tan, who will continue to lead GPI post-transaction. The recapitalization marks GPI as the first platform investment from BCP's $200 million Fund II, which successfully closed in May 2022 at its hard cap. Additionally, Travis Betters, CEO of Brothers International—a leading B2B fruit ingredients company and another portfolio entity of BCP—has joined GPI’s Board of Directors.

Established in 1992 and located in Newmarket, Ontario (a suburb of Toronto), GPI is recognized as a prominent B2B food ingredients provider. The company specializes in proprietary hydrocolloid blends, vinegar-based antimicrobials, and other functional food ingredients and processing agents. GPI has built a global customer base that spans North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Industry Overview

The food ingredients industry in Canada, where GPI operates, is characterized by a growing demand for innovative and high-quality products. This demand is driven by consumers' increasing focus on health, wellness, and sustainability, which has prompted food