ROBESONIA, Pa., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Associated Wholesalers, Inc. (“AWI”), a regional cooperative food distributor, today announced that it has obtained Court approval for the acquisition of AWI by C&S Wholesale Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. Under the terms of the approved agreement, C&S will purchase AWI and substantially all of its subsidiaries, including its White Rose distribution business. The Company expects to close the transaction in early November.

Matt Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of AWI said, “We are pleased to receive Court approval for the sale of AWI and White Rose to C&S. The auction process was robust and competitive and we believe that the winning bid from C&S is in the best interest of AWI and its stakeholders. C&S shares AWI’s commitment to providing customers and independent stores great deals on products and on helping them grow their businesses. AWI will further enhance C&S’s position as the leading wholesale grocery supply company and we look forward to completing the sale. I would like to thank AWI and White Rose employees whose continued hard work and dedication enabled us to move through this process.”

Until the transaction closes, AWI and White Rose will continue to operate independently of C&S. AWI and White Rose intend to continue operating in the ordinary course and to continue providing customers with the lowest cost goods and services.

Court documents and additional information can be found at a dedicated website administrated by AWI’s Claims Agent, Epiq Systems: http://dm.epiq11.com/awi.

Saul Ewing LLP and Rhoads & Sinon LLP are serving as legal advisors, Lazard Middle Market is serving as financial advisor, and Carl Marks Advisors is serving as restructuring advisor to AWI.

About Associated Wholesalers, Inc.

Associated Wholesalers, Inc. (AWI) is a cooperative food distributor organized to provide flexible distribution and retail services that promote the growth and profitability of its member retailers. Our flexible distribution programs give us the ability to service convenience stores, supermarkets and superettes with grocery, dairy, meat, produce, general merchandise and frozen food products. Our retailer services include insurance programs, computer systems, including hardware and software, store development, merchandising, advertising, customer service, retail accounting, store equipment and store counseling. These services are fee based and offered through the cooperative on a not-for-profit basis, giving our members the highest quality of services available to a chain at the lowest possible cost.

About C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (C&S), based in Keene, New Hampshire, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S., supplying independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and other customers with over 150,000 different products. C&S serves about 5,000 stores from more than 50 locations across the country. It was founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, and now, in addition to its commitment to independent grocers, C&S services many large chains, including Stop & Shop, Giant of Carlisle, Giant of Landover, BI-LO/Winn-Dixie, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), Safeway, and Target.

Contact:

Michael Freitag / Aaron Palash
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449

SOURCE Associated Wholesalers, Inc.