SpartanNash Acquires Great Lakes Foods and Its Michigan Distribution Center

Retailer and distributor SpartanNash has acquired Great Lakes Foods, along with the independent grocery wholesaler’s 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Menominee, MI.

The warehouse serves approximately 100 independent grocery customers across the Midwest and employs 125 associates. SpartanNash said it will continue to employ the Great Lakes Foods team and plans on investing in capital and IT updates to the facility and expanding service offerings to customers.

SpartanNash customers include national accounts, independent and chain grocers, e-commerce retailers, U.S. military commissaries and exchanges, and the retailer’s own brick-and-mortar grocery stores, pharmacies and fuel centers. The company operates 147 supermarkets, under such banners as Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market.

“This acquisition represents SpartanNash’s ongoing commitment to optimize our supply chain network, drive growth through geographic expansion, and serve our customers more efficiently,” said SpartanNash EVP and chief strategy and information officer Masiar Tayebi. “The location of this distribution center is ideal for serving both new and existing customers in the surrounding communities – as well as our own company-owned stores in the Upper Peninsula. We look forward to earning the loyalty of our new customers and associates as we continue building upon the legacy Great Lakes Foods has established.”

Customers of Great Lakes Foods will gain access to SpartanNash’s marketing support, merchandising expertise, portfolio of private label products, and valuable insights from the company’s wholesale and retail businesses. The business integration will occur strategically throughout 2023 to ensure business continuity while enabling value creation for SpartanNash’s shareholders and high-quality service levels for customers.

"I am incredibly proud that SpartanNash purchased our distribution center,” said Tom Kuber, owner of Great Lakes Foods. “We value our associates and long-standing customers and know SpartanNash is well-equipped to elevate the level of service and amplify its People First culture based on their strong track record.”

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.