Investment Firm KDSA Buys NW Regional Cold-Chain DSD House Williams

Food-and-beverage focused firm KDSA Investment Partners has acquired Spokane, Wash.-based direct-store-delivery house Williams Distributors, a significant provider of ice cream and other frozen foods throughout the Northwest.

Williams operates a full-service, cold-chain DSD network across Eastern Washington, Montana, Idaho, Northeast Oregon and Northern Wyoming with over 2,000 accounts, the company said in a press release.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but the purchase does come with some significant changes in leadership at Williams.

KDSA operating partner Tim Valdez will take over as CEO of the distributor, while existing Williams lead Tony Williams – the son of founder Roger Williams – will remain with the business as president through the end of the year, with plans to serve as a strategic advisor and brand ambassador afterwards.

As well, David Knopf, co-managing partner of KDSA, has been appointed chairman of Williams.

“This is a major step forward for KDSA,” Knopf said in a press release. “Williams has built a terrific business grounded in customer service and trust, reliability and strong supplier partnerships. It’s a great fit with our long-term vision, and we’re excited to support the team in this next phase of growth.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Williams,” Tony Williams said in the release. “We’ve spent decades earning trust in our markets by focusing on best-in-class, flawless customer service. KDSA shares that same mindset. With their support and under Tim’s leadership, I’m confident the business will continue to thrive for years to come.”

Founded in 2023, KDSA is based in New York and says its strategic focus is on “partnering with founder-led and family-owned businesses that combine deep local roots with long-term potential.”

Last year, the firm joined together with Cannae Holdings, Inc. to acquire a majority stake in 156-year-old spice manufacturer The Watkins Company.

Distributors have been a regular target for acquisition in the past several years, with other recent deals including multiple purchases by Rainforest Distribution and deals involving Raydia Food Group and KeHE.