Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Shank’s Extracts, Inc., a privately-held, specialty ingredient, flavoring and food company with bottling and packaging capabilities. Following the close of the transaction, Shank’s will operate as part of Universal’s plant-based ingredients platform, which includes Silva International, Inc. and FruitSmart, Inc.
Founded in 1899, Shank’s has established a strong presence within the flavoring, extracts and bottling marketplace, with significant vanilla expertise. In addition to pure vanilla extract products, Shank’s offers a robust portfolio of over 2,400 other extracts, distillates, natural flavors and colors for industrial and private label customers worldwide. Headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Shank’s employs more than 200 people and has a 191,000 square foot manufacturing campus.
“This agreement with Shank’s marks another important step forward in Universal’s efforts to identify and execute on opportunities that broaden and enhance our plant-based ingredients platform,” said George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation. “The Shank’s acquisition fits squarely in our new platform and our capital allocation strategy, bolstering our offerings for customers and expanding our value-added services by adding flavors, custom packaging and bottling, and product development capabilities.”
“As the domestic natural food flavors market continues to accelerate, we are pleased to be able to expand our customer proposition with Shank’s portfolio of high-quality botanical extracts,” continued Mr. Freeman. “Shank’s shares our commitment to food safety, as reflected in its continued investment in equipment, facilities, and its highly trained and certified employees. We look forward to welcoming Shank’s impressive team to Universal as we leverage our companies’ combined 200 years-plus of history to bring the business into a new phase of growth.”
“Shank’s has been providing high-quality products and services for more than 120 years, earning a reputation for consistency, traceability and dependability. This has allowed us to build a strong portfolio of long-tenured, blue-chip customers. As part of Universal Corporation, Shank’s will benefit from the resources and scale of a global organization as we look to expand our offerings and enter new, lucrative end markets,” said Jeffrey Lehman, President-owner of Shank’s.
Shank’s integrated manufacturing operations allow it to produce, package and deliver its final product consistently and dependably, in customers’ preferred packaging. Boasting decades-long working relationships with its sourcing partners, Shank’s has a secure supply chain with global traceability that protects its strong position in the fast-growing specialty flavorings market.
Universal Corporation expects the transaction to close in calendar-year fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, and anticipates the acquisition will be accretive to earnings in fiscal year 2023. Following the close of the transaction, the existing management team will continue to run the business and report to J. Patrick O’Keefe, Senior Vice President of Universal Global Ventures, Inc.
Universal Corporation expects to fund the transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its committed revolving credit facility. The Company remains committed to increasing its quarterly dividend on an annual basis, as it has done for 51 consecutive years.
Advisors
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP acted as legal counsel to Universal Corporation. SC&H Capital acted as financial advisor to Shank’s, and Cozen O’Connor P.C. acted as legal counsel.
About Universal Corporation
Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV), headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, operating in over 30 countries on five continents, that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Tobacco has been the Company’s principal focus since its founding in 1918, and Universal is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Through the Company’s plant-based ingredients platform, it provides a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients for the food and beverage end markets. Universal has been finding innovative solutions to serve its customers and meet their agri-product needs for more than 100 years. The Company’s revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, were $2.0 billion. Visit www.universalcorp.com
