Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Buitoni Food Co. has appointed Peter B. Wilson Jr. as its new president and CEO. Buitoni Foods was recently established by Brynwood Partners VIII L.P. to acquire the North American Buitoni business from Nestlé USA. Buitoni is an iconic brand and a national leader in the refrigerated pasta, sauces and cheese categories. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and operates a 240,000-square-foot facility in Danville, Virginia.
“We are excited to announce the addition of Peter Wilson to the Buitoni Foods team. Peter has been an amazing leader at Brynwood Partners and our portfolio companies. His extensive background in managing companies with complex manufacturing operations in the food and snack sectors will immediately benefit the Buitoni business,” said Henk Hartong, Brynwood Partners’ chairman and CEO.
Prior to joining Buitoni Foods, Wilson was a managing director at Brynwood, a consumer-focused lower middle market private equity fund. Prior to joining Brynwood, he was president and CEO of Brynwood’s portfolio companies including DeMet’s Candy Co. and Balance Bar Co. He also was responsible for the oversight of the operation of Joseph Frozen Foods which was divested by Brynwood in 2019.
“We have a strong group of experienced executives who have previously reignited similar brands with great heritage. With Brynwood’s support, I am honored to lead this management team as we innovate and build on the famous Buitoni foundation of great tasting, authentic, high quality foods while leveraging the capabilities of our Danville, Virginia facility,” Wilson said.
At Buitoni, Wilson will be leading an experienced senior management team comprised of several successful Brynwood veterans. Chris Conley has joined Buitoni Foods as its CFO after previously working at Brynwood and, prior to that, at Brynwood’s portfolio company Newhall Laboratories. Jim Gerbo has joined the company as its chief marketing officer. Most recently he was CMO for Brynwood’s SunnyD business. Jonathan Ryckman has joined Buitoni Foods as its president of sales. He worked previously for two Brynwood portfolio companies, DeMet’s Candy Co. and Balance Bar Co.
The company continues to build out its management team both at its Stamford and Danville locations.
