Van de Kamp's
Frozen seafood and breaded fish products manufacturer with retail and foodservice distribution.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Cerberus Capital Management2014-12-01
What Made It Great
Established frozen seafood brand with strong retail presence and convenience positioning
What PE Will Likely Do
Van de Kamp's will likely experience ingredient downgrades, such as substituting cheaper fish and breading materials in their frozen seafood and breaded fish products
The company will likely engage in shrinkflation, reducing the package sizes of their frozen products while maintaining or increasing prices
Van de Kamp's will likely consolidate and close some of their manufacturing facilities, leading to supply chain changes and potential quality issues
The company may alter their product recipes to reduce costs, potentially impacting the taste, texture, and overall quality of their frozen seafood and breaded fish items
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Minimal visible changes as Cerberus Capital Management completes the ownership transition
“6 to 12 months months”
Behind-the-scenes changes to suppliers and product formulations begin, with gradual quality degradation
“12 to 24 months months”
Consumers start noticing differences in the taste, texture, and quality of Van de Kamp's frozen seafood and breaded fish products, as the brand's reputation begins to suffer
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Closely monitor the quality and pricing of Van de Kamp's frozen seafood and breaded fish products in the coming months and years
Consider switching to alternative brands or making homemade versions if you notice significant degradation in the quality of Van de Kamp's products
Provide feedback to the company and share your experiences on review platforms to hold them accountable for any quality changes
Alternatives
Look for family-owned or employee-owned businesses