Tillamook Country Smoker Enters Growth Phase With New Owner

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Insignia Capital Group has acquired Tillamook Country Smoker (TCS), a third-generation, family-owned provider of branded meat snacks.

Several family shareholders participated in the transaction alongside Insignia. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Insignia team in this exciting next phase of the company's growth," said Dick Crossley, a founder of the company. "We chose Insignia as our partner based on their demonstrated operational and strategic expertise as well as their shared vision for our brand and our community."

TCS manufactures and distributes real hardwood-smoked jerky, meat sticks, and other meat snack products primarily through the convenience and grocery retail channels.

"TCS has an outstanding track record of growth and a selection of high-quality, clean-label products. We are very excited to welcome the company into our portfolio," said David Lowe, CEO of Insignia. "This investment expands Insignia's footprint in the food sector into the large and growing meat snacks market.

"We plan to leverage our food investment experience and synergies with our other salty snack investments, Truco Enterprises and Century Snacks, to significantly accelerate growth. We also plan to make significant investments in operations that we expect will drive value for all stakeholders," he added.

San Francisco Bay Area-based Insignia is a private-equity firm focused on lower middle-market companies.

Bay City, Ore.-based TCS was founded in 1975.