Snyder's-Lance Inc., Charlotte, N.C., enters into a distribution agreement with Inventure Foods Inc., Phoenix, which provides a unique opportunity for both companies. In recent years, Snyder's-Lance has developed its Direct Store Delivery (DSD) network through a blend of selective acquisitions and organic growth. By collaborating with Inventure, Snyder's-Lance will expand the network in the southwestern U.S. and increase route volumes with new partner brands, while Inventure's specialty food brands will benefit from wider distribution of a national DSD network of more than 3,000 routes. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement also provides that Snyder's-Lance will assume a number of independent business-owner routes from Inventure in the Arizona area, which supports the Snyder's-Lance strategic plan to continue growing and strengthening its national DSD distribution network. At the same time, Inventure will receive access to the growing Snyder's-Lance distribution network with expanded opportunity as a key partner brand.

"We're excited to continue the development of our DSD network through this distribution agreement with Inventure," states Carl E. Lee Jr, president and chief operating officer of Snyder's-Lance Inc. "These routes are in a strategically important location for our company and will help us to provide excellent service for key customers. Moreover, Inventure product lines such as Boulder Canyon and Poore Brothers provide an opportunity for Snyder's-Lance to increase the scale and reach of our network, helping to grow route volumes across all brands, while bringing the benefits of our DSD distribution system to both Inventure and our retail partners. Snyder's-Lance and Inventure have partnered together for approximately 15 years, distributing each company's products in their respective DSD networks. This new arrangement expands an already successful relationship."

Adds Terry McDaniel, Inventure’s president/CEO: "We look forward to the support that this strategic agreement will provide our growing and important Boulder Canyon brands throughout the country. This is a very important partnership for Inventure Foods, which further underscores our commitment to deliver our premium products to leading retailers, while leveraging the growing Snyder's-Lance DSD network of store level execution.”