Key Takeaways
- • Erie Foods International completed the sale of its North American operations to Actus Nutrition, a portfolio company of private equity firm Butterfly Equity, with the transaction closing October 26, 2026.
- • Erie Foods, an Illinois-based specialty dairy protein ingredient manufacturer founded in 1938 by the Reisenbigler family, supplies caseins, caseinates, milk protein concentrates and isolates, milk protein crisps, and granulated calcium carbonate.
- • PKF Investment Banking, the investment banking affiliate of PKF O'Connor Davies, served as exclusive financial advisor to Erie Foods' shareholders.
- • The deal adds Erie Foods' dairy protein manufacturing, twin-screw extrusion, and customer relationships to Actus Nutrition's milk and whey processing and private-label platform.
Summary
Erie Foods International, an Illinois-based manufacturer of specialty dairy protein ingredients headquartered in Erie, Illinois, has completed the sale of its North American operations to Actus Nutrition, according to the company and its advisor. The transaction closed on October 26, 2026. Actus Nutrition, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a portfolio company of private equity firm Butterfly Equity and manufactures protein and nutritional ingredients for human and animal nutrition markets.
Erie Foods, founded in 1938 by the Reisenbigler family, produces caseins, caseinates, milk protein crisps, milk protein concentrates, and milk protein isolates, as well as granulated calcium carbonate. Its manufacturing capabilities include twin-screw extrusion, agglomeration, granulation, drying, precision blending, particle coating, and product formulation. The company serves food, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement manufacturers, including producers of consumer-packaged protein products and ready-to-drink beverages.
PKF Investment Banking served as exclusive financial advisor to Erie Foods throughout the sale process, assisting shareholders in evaluating strategic alternatives. Alberto Sinesi, Managing Director and Co-Head of PKF Investment Banking, cited Erie Foods' technical extrusion expertise and longstanding customer relationships as strengths supporting its next phase of growth. David R. Reisenbigler, Chief Executive Officer of Erie Foods, said PKF helped the family navigate the transaction and identify Actus as the ideal partner. Management expects to continue working with Actus as the business serves its customers and local community. The article did not disclose deal value.
The acquisition expands Actus' presence in specialty ingredients by adding complementary products and value-added processing techniques, such as extrusion, to its existing milk and whey operations, private-label manufacturing, and custom ingredient development. The combination is positioned to support a broader range of customer requirements across consumer-packaged goods, nutrition, and ready-to-drink beverage sectors. PKF Investment Banking, which specializes in lower-middle-market M&A, says its professionals have completed more than 450 M&A engagements.
Erie Foods, founded in 1938 by the Reisenbigler family, produces caseins, caseinates, milk protein crisps, milk protein concentrates, and milk protein isolates, as well as granulated calcium carbonate. Its manufacturing capabilities include twin-screw extrusion, agglomeration, granulation, drying, precision blending, particle coating, and product formulation. The company serves food, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement manufacturers, including producers of consumer-packaged protein products and ready-to-drink beverages.
PKF Investment Banking served as exclusive financial advisor to Erie Foods throughout the sale process, assisting shareholders in evaluating strategic alternatives. Alberto Sinesi, Managing Director and Co-Head of PKF Investment Banking, cited Erie Foods' technical extrusion expertise and longstanding customer relationships as strengths supporting its next phase of growth. David R. Reisenbigler, Chief Executive Officer of Erie Foods, said PKF helped the family navigate the transaction and identify Actus as the ideal partner. Management expects to continue working with Actus as the business serves its customers and local community. The article did not disclose deal value.
The acquisition expands Actus' presence in specialty ingredients by adding complementary products and value-added processing techniques, such as extrusion, to its existing milk and whey operations, private-label manufacturing, and custom ingredient development. The combination is positioned to support a broader range of customer requirements across consumer-packaged goods, nutrition, and ready-to-drink beverage sectors. PKF Investment Banking, which specializes in lower-middle-market M&A, says its professionals have completed more than 450 M&A engagements.
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