Lipari Foods, a Warren, Mich.-based specialty food distributor, has reached an agreement to acquire Clive, Iowa-based Comercializadora Del Midwest (CDM), a provider of Central and South American specialty items.

This opportunity will expand Lipari’s portfolio of international products as well as their distribution footprint in the Midwest. 

Founded in 2007, the CDM team services 380-plus customers within the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and has approximately 26 employees. CDM globally sources over 1,200 items from 12 countries throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the CDM team into our family as we develop the Latino category. Roberto and Martha did an incredible job focusing on the customer and supplier relationships, while building out their program, as a trusted partner. We are excited to integrate their expertise with our distribution footprint, leading to significant opportunities for all of our business partners," said John Pawlowski, President and chief operating officer of Lipari Foods.

Roberto Gomez, Owner of Comercializadora Del Midwest added, “We knew Lipari was a trusted partner that would build upon our company values centered around people, relationships, trust and focus on the customer. We are excited to see the growth and development as our companies work together, creating new opportunities for all of our customers and suppliers.”