SAN ANTONIO — C.H. Guenther & Son LLC (“CHG”), a leading producer of branded and private-label food products, today announced the appointment of Rod Hepponstall, a growth-focused foodservice and CPG industry leader, as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 6, 2023. Mr. Hepponstall brings to CHG more than two decades of senior leadership experience and a proven track record guiding retail and foodservice organizations to sustained growth, innovation and operational excellence.
“I am honored to join CHG and continue the company’s strong legacy of exceptional product quality and customer service,” said Mr. Hepponstall. “For more than 170 years, CHG has produced remarkable and innovative food products while building a global network of manufacturing capabilities and flexibility. Together with my new CHG colleagues, we will further strengthen the company’s longstanding customer partnerships and take this storied business to the next level.”
“Rod has a passion for transforming and growing high-quality food manufacturing businesses, and I am delighted to partner with him to execute CHG’s growth strategy,” said Dale W. Tremblay, Chairman of CHG. “Rod is the right leader to guide CHG’s next chapter. His industry experience, customer obsession, focus on operational discipline and commitment to our company’s long-held values make him a great fit with our culture and our team. I am eager to support him as CHG grows in both current and adjacent categories.”
Mr. Hepponstall joins CHG from High Liner Foods, a global seafood company with more than $1 billion in revenues, where he served as President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. He led High Liner through multiple transformation initiatives, streamlined its global supply chain to better position the company for growth and integrated people, processes and technology across the firm resulting in record adjusted EBITDA in his final full fiscal year. Earlier in his career, Mr. Hepponstall held senior foodservice and retail positions at Lamb Weston, Conagra Brands, Grupo Bimbo and Maple Leaf Foods.
“Rod’s operational mindset and leadership experience makes him the perfect fit to lead CHG’s portfolio, category and market expansion,” said Chris Brickman, Operating Partner – Manufactured Products at Pritzker Private Capital. “We welcome Rod to both CHG and PPC, and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the entire CHG team.”
C.H. Guenther & Son is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. CHG has more than 4,600 employees in 29 food manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, and in its corporate office in San Antonio, Texas.
About C.H. Guenther & Son
San Antonio-headquartered C.H. Guenther & Son is a leading food manufacturer that has delivered high-quality products and “just baked from scratch” flavor for nearly 170 years. Founded in Texas in 1851, the global company employs more than 4,600 people in 29 manufacturing locations in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. CHG is a leading supplier of value-added grain-based and frozen food products for foodservice clients and select consumer markets. CHG’s well-loved retail brands such as Pioneer, White Wings, Sun-Bird, Mi Rancho and Cuisine Adventures have been included at family meals for generations. CHG is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and other co-investors. Visit us at www.chg.com.
About Pritzker Private Capital
Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.
