Merger combines Canada-based produce suppliers

North American Produce Buyers (NAPB) has merged with Fresh Advancements, Freshline Foods and Bamford Produce Co. (Bamford Group), a Canadian supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Bamford supplies produce across wholesale, fresh-cut and foodservice channels to customers throughout Ontario and Quebec.

Bamford Group CEO Steve Bamford will become CEO of the combined businesses.

“We are very excited at the opportunity to join forces with NAPB,” Bamford said in a statement. “Like the Bamford Group, NAPB has a long and storied history in the Canadian produce industry. Their expertise and reputation as a trusted partner to growers and customers will allow us to unlock significant growth.”

Toronto-based NAPB, an Ironbridge portfolio company, imports and distributes premium fruit, including stone fruit, citrus fruit and berries, to retailers across Canada.

“We’re thrilled to establish a partnership with the Bamford Group,” former NAPB CEO Larry Davidson said. “This merger will enable us to vastly increase our collective set of produce items and give NAPB the opportunity to expand deeper into value-added processing and new customer channels.

“The Bamford Group and its leadership team have built a strong reputation as a world-class partner to both growers and customers.”