News

Takenaka Partners LLC (Los Angeles, CA) acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Somi Foods, Inc.’s (“Somi’s”) acquisition of Cauldron Broths, a manufacturer of made-from-scratch certified organic broths. Through its Greenfield Research process, Takenaka Partners identified Cauldron Broths as the best strategic fit for Somi. The transaction closed in August 2019. Somi, based in Japan with US offices in Los Angeles, CA and Fort Lee, NJ, manufactures high quality soups and seasonings for the food service industry. Somi was searching for a US manufacturer of…

The Japanese newspaper, Shukan New York Seikatsu, recently interviewed Yukuo Takenaka regarding the current state of business practices in Japan and America. In 1989, Mr. Takenaka founded Takenaka Partners, a successful investment banking and consulting firm that specializes in cross-border M&A transactions. His firm has helped countless Japanese corporations expand their American operations and has brought numerous merger and acquisition deals to a successful closing. During the interview, Mr. Takenaka reaffirmed the strengths of Japanese companies and discussed how opportunities can still be found during…

Takenaka Partners LLC (Los Angeles, CA) acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Yamada Bee Farm Inc.’s minority investment into AHNP Precision Health, LLC (AHNP), a healthcare technology company focused on preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Takenaka Partners worked closely with Yamada Bee to identify, conduct due diligence on, and negotiate the investment with AHNP. AHNP, in partnership with one of the industry’s leading experts on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Dr. Dale Bredesen, aims to help people prevent, track, and even improve their Alzheimer’s and dementia…

Takenaka Partners LLC (Los Angeles, CA) acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Calbee North America, LLC (“Calbee”) on its majority investment into branded and private label snack foods manufacturer, Warnock Food Products, Inc. (“Warnock”). Takenaka Partners successfully advised Calbee through a competitive sale process that was run by BGL that included a group of private equity sponsors and global strategic buyers. Originally a Japanese snack food manufacturer, Calbee Inc. expanded to North America in 1970 with popular brands like Saya and Shrimp Chips. In…

Takenaka Partners LLC (Los Angeles, CA) acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Nippon Steel Trading Americas, Inc.’s (NSTA) joint venture with Pacesetter Steel Service, Inc. (dba Pacesetter). Through its Greenfield research process, Takenaka Partners identified Pacesetter as the best strategic partner for NSTA. Together, NSTA, the North American trading arm of Nippon Steel  Corporation, and Pacesetter will build a new world class Service Center facility in Houston, TX. This joint venture, named NSPS Metals, LLC, will allow both companies to tap growth in the Southwestern…

Takenaka Partners LLC (Los Angeles, CA) is pleased to announce that LifeSeasons, Inc. has acquired ADG Concerns, Inc. [d.b.a. Health Concerns], based in Oakland, CA. Takenaka Partners worked closely to unite LifeSeasons, a leading manufacturer of natural supplements, with Health Concerns, a well-recognized brand of herbal remedies based on traditional Chinese medicine. Health Concerns began providing high quality herbal formulas to healthcare professionals more than 30 years ago. The Company has since focused on providing Chinese formulas specific to the needs of the American patient,…

Takenaka Partners is pleased to announce that on January 7, 2019, Noritz Corporation (TSE:5943) (“Noritz”) acquired PB Heat, LLC (“PB Heat”). Takenaka Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Noritz on this transaction. Noritz, a global leader in HVAC, water heating, kitchen, bath and renewables, has joined forces with PB Heat, a leading provider of high-efficiency, cast iron and stainless steel boilers and indirect-fired water heaters, sold under the Peerless brand. The Peerless brand will continue to be marketed and sold independently of Noritz’s branded products…

On October 1, 2018, MM Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (“MM Group”) concluded an acquisition of SushiStop, including six sushi stores in the Los Angeles area. Takenaka Partners acted as the financial advisor to MM Group and assisted MM Group in the financial and business due diligence, valuation analysis, and deal negotiations. About MM Group The mother company was founded in 1995 and MM Group Holdings was established in Yokohama in 2017. MM Group has more than ten group companies and is engaged in communication services…

Takenaka Partners is pleased to announce that our client, Nagase America, a member of the NAGASE Group (NAGASE) and a leader in innovative solutions for the chemicals, plastics, electronics, life sciences, and automotive markets, has acquired Fitz Chem Corporation, a specialty chemical distributor providing technical solutions and high quality customer service to the CASE, plastics, and personal care markets in the United States. Takenaka Partners acted as Nagase’s exclusive financial advisor on this transaction.