C.A. Fortune Expansion Continues With ESM Ferolie Alliance

C.A. Fortune, the Natural and Specialty Division of Carlin O’Brien, will expand coverage into 32 states as a result of its new equity partner with Montvale, N.J.-based ESM Ferolie, the latter of which will merge its natural and specialty services into C.A. Fortune, as well as its other assets that are servicing the fast-growing channels.

“Our customers and clients now have access to the best-in-class natural, specialty and bakery brokerage in the business,” said Tony Ferolie, ESM Ferolie CEO. “Our philosophy has always been about meeting the needs of customers and clients. This new venture with C.A. Fortune is another step in that direction. ESM is taking our specialty/natural and bakery business and plugging it into C.A. Fortune.”

Added Jeff Mahler, president of Carlin O’Brien: “This market expansion and partnership with ESM Ferolie is a great move for C.A. Fortune, Carlin O’Brien and customers and clients up and down the East Coast. The specialty/natural and bakery side of our business is the fastest growing part of our industry. We will continue to serve our customers and clients in a bigger footprint with multi-channel expertise and increased analytic prowess,” noted Mahler.

C.A. Fortune and ESM client Jeff Buntin, director of sales for Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Cumberland Packing Corp., endorsed the move as advantageous. "Over the last year, C.A. Fortune has been on an impressive path to growth that has taken their Midwest footprint and expanded it to now cover 65 percent of the country within the natural/specialty channel," explained Buntin. "Combining ESM’s deep market presence with C.A. Fortune’s best-in-class natural/specialty brokerage knowledge will add tremendous value in how Cumberland Packing goes to market.”

Carlin O’Brien and ESM Ferolie are members of BeaconUnited, a venture of eight leading U.S. food brokers.