CLA served as the exclusive financial advisor to Burklund Distributors, Inc. on its recent sale to AMCON. Learn some of what made it a seamless transaction.
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), one of the leading professional service firms in the United States, is pleased to announce that Burklund Distributors, Inc. (Burklund or the Company), an East Peoria, Illinois-based leading distributor of convenience store products, has been acquired by AMCON Distributing Company (NYSE: DIT) (AMCON). CLA served as the exclusive financial advisor to Burklund on the transaction.
Founded in 1939, Burklund has been a family-owned business for over 85 years and has established a strong reputation for providing quality products and exceptional customer service. The Company distributes a wide range of products to convenience stores and other retailers throughout the Midwest region. Burklund also provides its partners with outstanding consulting service as well as insightful business know-hows.
“We sincerely thank the CLA team for their guidance and professionalism throughout the sale and negotiation process,” stated owners Jon Burklund and Rob Hackett. “This acquisition will put our employees, customers, and Burklund legacy in great hands at AMCON, and it allows us personally to transition to the next stage of our lives. We couldn’t have asked for a better advisor than CLA, who understood both our financial and non-financial objectives.”
The transaction was a seamless effort completed through support from CLA investment banking, accounting, tax, and wealth advisory.
“We are honored to have advised this multi-generational family business, and to have guided Burklund through this pivotal moment in their history,” said Ian Sylvan, managing director on CLA’s investment banking team. “This acquisition will provide Burklund with the resources and support it needs to continue growing its business and serving its customers. We wish both Burklund and AMCON continued success.”
AMCON Distributing Company, together with its family of subsidiaries, is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. AMCON offers over 20,000 different consumer products — such as cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, food service, groceries, paper products, and health and beauty care products — to approximately 7,900 retail outlets including convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, drug stores, and tobacco shops.
“We are excited to welcome Burklund to the AMCON family,” said Christopher H. Atayan, Chairman and CEO of AMCON Distributing Company. “This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy and will enable us to provide comprehensive service to our customers in the Midwest region. We welcome the Burklund team to our AMCON family and look forward to providing an enhanced suite of foodservice, merchandising, and IT services to their customer base.”
The CLA investment banking team included Ian Sylvan, James Luzum, and Yuhao Zhao. CLA’s seamless services team was led by Melissa Yoder, head of CLA’s Eastern Midwest region and long-time client relationship leader for Burklund, as well as Joe Baez and Mark Dalbey. Davis & Campbell acted as Burklund’s trusted legal counsel for the transaction.
CLA’s investment banking professionals specialize in providing sophisticated corporate finance advisory and investment banking services to middle-market businesses and owners. Their services include mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other transaction-related advisory services.
About CLA
CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. With nearly 9,000 people, more than 130 locations, and a global vision, we promise to know you and help you. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.