Monterey, CA – PRO*ACT and The Coastal Companies today announced a partnership that expands their respective footprints in fresh food distribution in North America.
For The Coastal Companies, the acquisition of Hearn Kirkwood announced last week is giving them greater reach and service capabilities in both their foodservice and retail channels of business. Coastal’s foodservice business will be enhanced in the Mid-Atlantic, specifically in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. region. The Coastal Companies retail and grab-n-go businesses will be strengthened from Maine to Florida with the addition of Hearn Kirkwood’s extensive line of prepared and ready to eat products.
Stepping into a role as PRO*ACT’s distributor in that region with multi-unit customers will also give The Coastal Companies access to PRO*ACT’s cumulative buying power, additional relationships with top-tier growers, and new opportunities for customer growth.
For PRO*ACT CEO Max Yeater, seeing Hearn Kirkwood transitioning to the Coastal family of companies signals opportunity for further growth. “We’ve had a lot of respect for what Coastal has been able to achieve, and know that their vision and values align excellently with PRO*ACT and our network,” said Yeater. “This transition has been great for our customers and staff, and is a partnership that we see being productive for years to come for all parts of our supply chain.”
At Coastal, working with PRO*ACT enables the company to expand its procurement capabilities and gives the company access to a larger sales team. Coastal CEO John Corso shared that “we are excited to have Hearn Kirkwood join The Coastal Companies and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with PRO*ACT and its network.”
PRO*ACT’s VP of Procurement Joe Cimino echoed the feeling of momentum that has been generated by the partnership “we’ve worked hard to develop strategic relationships that enhance our ability to effectively serve customers, this is an exciting development that will benefit our entire value chain.”
Aligning with PRO*ACT hasn’t been difficult as each organization has been outspoken industry leaders in food safety, customer service standards, sustainability, and innovative growth. Both companies are continuing to plan how to maximize their partnership to service customers, and take advantage of the suite of services that are at their disposal.
About PRO*ACT: PRO*ACT is North America’s leading distributor of fresh food to the foodservice and retail industries, sourcing from premier national, regional, and local suppliers. PRO*ACT distributors work in their regions to bring fresh produce to over 200k restaurants, airports, hospitals, schools, grocery stores, and other customers of all shapes and sizes.
Founded in 1991 as a collective of distributors determined to achieve competitive advantage through consolidated purchasing and selling, PRO*ACT has grown to over 100 distribution centers serving 98.4% of the population of the United States and Canada.
About The Coastal Companies: Founded in 1992, The Coastal Companies has emerged as the leading supplier of produce and dairy in the Mid-Atlantic and a leading regional processor of fruits and vegetables. With the addition of Hearn Kirkwood, The Coastal Companies has further expanded its capabilities in prepared foods, ready to eat products, and grab-and-go.
The company and its subsidiaries – Coastal Sunbelt Produce, East Coast Fresh, and Hearn Kirkwood – operate facilities in Baltimore/Washington and greater Richmond. Through a fleet of 200 trucks, The Coastal Companies delivers daily to foodservice customers and major retailers along the East Coast.
