NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MidOcean Partners, a premier New York–based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments, announced today that Tony DeLio has joined the firm as an Operating Partner. DeLio, an ingredients industry executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning strategic innovation, M&A, R&D, and marketing, will work closely with MidOcean’s investment team to further develop and execute the firm’s investment strategy within the specialty ingredients space.
“Tony DeLio brings a diverse wealth of knowledge and operating expertise cultivated at a range of top-tier global food and ingredients companies,” said Steve Loeffler, a Vice President at MidOcean. “We’re confident that his strategic vision, technical and innovation capabilities, M&A expertise, and experience working with businesses ranging from start-ups to international market leaders, will be valuable as we continue to identify attractive opportunities in the broader ingredients market. MidOcean has a long history of focus in this industry and together we will be able to look at a broader set of opportunities benefitting from emerging consumer trends in the ingredients market.”
MidOcean focuses on specialty ingredients companies that provide value-added, differentiated products across a variety of end markets including food and beverage, personal care, beauty, pet, and agriculture. Notable prior investments include Florida Food Products, Agilex, FreshPet, and Nutrabolt among other companies in broader food and personal care markets.
“I’ve spent most of my career helping larger organizations establish and navigate a strategic vision to grow through sales, innovation, marketing and acquisitions, and am thrilled to bring my experience to MidOcean’s dynamic and impressive portfolio companies,” said DeLio. “The ingredients market today is undergoing tremendous change and innovation with constantly evolving consumer preferences. I am delighted to be joining the MidOcean team at this exciting time, and look forward to helping identify and grow new specialty ingredients investments and contribute to the success of the portfolio companies.”
DeLio most recently served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Chief Innovation Officer at Ingredion, a global manufacturer of ingredients for the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial industries, where he was responsible for leading the strategy, M&A, and innovation functions globally. He also co-led Ingredion’s Global Specialties business, with sales of over $1.5 billion, and oversaw the global R&D function. Additionally, he recently led Ingredion’s acquisition of PureCircle and served as CEO of PureCircle during the global integration into Ingredion.
Prior to Ingredion, DeLio spent four years at Archer Daniels Midland, where he held numerous senior positions, including Corporate Vice President of Marketing and External Relations, and President of the Nutraceutical and Protein Specialties Divisions. Earlier in his career, DeLio worked for Mars, Inc. in multiple businesses and functions including the Confectionary and Food divisions as well as Pet Care. He started his career with Nestle R&D.
DeLio has also served as a director to several specialty food and ingredients businesses, ranging from start-ups to multi-generational, family-owned businesses, including Clara Foods, CreAgri, and Radlo Foods.
About MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners is a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has targeted investments in high-quality middle-market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. MidOcean Credit Partners was launched in 2009 and currently manages a series of alternative credit strategies, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and customized separately managed accounts.
