May 18, 2023

Handgards Acquires EMI Yoshi

Acquisition broadens portfolio of high-quality foodservice products

El Paso, Texas – Handgards, Inc. (“Handgards”), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”), today announced the acquisition of EMI Yoshi, Inc. (“EMI Yoshi” or the “Company”), a leading supplier of foodservice tableware and catering products. The acquisition enhances the scale and product offering of Handgards in the fast-growing disposables tabletop category.  

Based in Somerville, N.J., EMI Yoshi supplies a comprehensive suite of products to a diverse base of catering and hospitality customers across the U.S. EMI Yoshi’s primary warehouse operation in South Carolina will also broaden Handgards’ distribution footprint further into the Southeast U.S.  

“We are excited to welcome EMI Yoshi and all of the team members and customers to Handgards,” stated Joe Kubicek, CEO of Handgards. “EMI Yoshi’s family of brands is highly complementary to our existing product offering and will expand our channel reach into the foodservice, hospitality and catering markets. The acquisition of EMI Yoshi further cements Handgards as a premier supplier in these core segments.” 

Saul Wolhendler, President and CEO of EMI Yoshi, added, “It has been a pleasure working with Handgards and Wind Point, and we are thrilled that we have found a perfect cultural fit. Continuing the legacy of EMI Yoshi is important to our owners and founders, and this combination comes with great upside for the Company’s collective customers and employees.”   

Peter Leemputte, Principal at Wind Point, commented, “Expanding our offerings in the tabletop product category is a key focus of the Handgards value creation plan. The addition of EMI Yoshi represents our second acquisition in the category, following the acquisition of Fineline Settings in 2022. We congratulate Saul Wolhendler and the founding ownership group on the strong business they have built, and we look forward to supporting the next phase of growth.” 

Wind Point acquired Handgards in October 2020 in partnership with the existing management team and established industry executive Joe Kubicek, who joined as CEO. Handgards will continue to invest in both organic initiatives and complementary acquisitions that further enhance the company’s high-quality foodservice product offering.  

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Wind Point. FORVIS, LLP provided transaction advisory services in connection with the transaction.