Here’s hoping Wholesome Sweeteners doesn’t lose its namesake principals now that it’s been acquired by an investment firm.

The company — known for its organic and Fair-Trade-certified sweeteners — has been acquired by food and agriculture investment firm Arlon Group, in partnership with Edward Billington & Son Ltd.

Sugar Land, Texas-based Wholesome Sweeteners, most recently has introduced such products as organic stevia, organic coconut palm sugar and the first Fair Trade-certified organic agave nectars.

Nigel Willerton, ceo at Wholesome Sweeteners, will continue to lead the management team at the company.

"This is an exciting time for Wholesome,” says Willerton. “Arlon's focus on innovative food businesses makes them perfect partners for the next stage of our growth and development."

The sweetener company was founded in 2001 as a joint venture between Imperial Sugar Co. and Billington.

Arlon led the buyout of Wholesome Sweeteners alongside Billington, and bought out all of Imperial’s shares. This is the fourth investment for New York-based Arlon Food and Agriculture Partners LP.

“We see tremendous opportunities for continued growth at Wholesome Sweeteners, and we look forward to working with the company to realize this potential," says Michelle Brooks, managing principal at Arlon Group. "Nigel and his team have built a remarkable company that has reached a position of market leadership by delivering the highest quality products and meeting the growing consumer demand for socially responsible and environmentally sustainable farming practices."