Butterfly Equity-Backed Actus Nutrition Buys Erie Foods' North American Operations

Butterfly Equity-backed Actus Nutrition closed its acquisition of Erie Foods International's North American operations on October 26, 2026. The deal unites two protein-ingredient manufacturers and hands Actus a company that has operated for nearly nine decades.

Erie Foods, headquartered in Erie, Illinois, manufactures specialty dairy protein ingredients for the food, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement industries. PKF Investment Banking, the investment banking affiliate of PKF O'Connor Davies, served as exclusive financial advisor to Erie Foods throughout the sale process.

What does Actus Nutrition gain?

Actus, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, converts milk and whey into functional ingredients for food, beverages, and performance nutrition. It also runs private-label manufacturing and custom ingredient development. The acquisition adds Erie Foods' dairy protein capabilities, processing expertise, and established customer relationships to that platform.

Erie Foods' product portfolio includes:

• Caseins and caseinates
• Milk protein crisps
• Milk protein concentrates
• Milk protein isolates
• Granulated calcium carbonate for food and nutritional applications

The company supplies manufacturers of consumer-packaged protein products and ready-to-drink beverages. Its specialized manufacturing technologies include twin-screw extrusion, agglomeration, granulation, drying, precision blending, particle coating, and product formulation.

Twin-screw extrusion matters most in this deal. It lets manufacturers control texture, consistency, and other product properties in specialized food ingredients, a capability Actus described as creating opportunities for broader product development and customer support.

The combination brings together relationships with businesses in the consumer-packaged goods and nutrition sectors, and both companies serve customers requiring specialized ingredients and manufacturing capabilities.

Why did the Reisenbigler family sell?

Erie Foods was founded in 1938 by the Reisenbigler family. For the family, the transaction marks a transition in the history of a business approaching its ninetieth year.

CEO David R. Reisenbigler credited the advisory process. "PKF Investment Banking provided invaluable guidance in helping us navigate the sale process and evaluate the right strategic path for both our family and Erie Foods," he said. "At this time in the Company's history, Actus is the ideal partner, and management looks forward to working with Actus as they continue serving the Company's customers and community."

Alberto Sinesi, Managing Director and Co-Head at PKF Investment Banking, pointed to the technical assets the buyer acquires. "We are honored to have advised the shareholders of Erie Foods on the sale of its North American operations to Actus Nutrition," Sinesi said. "The Company's technical expertise in extrusion and longstanding customer relationships across consumer-packaged goods protein products and ready-to-drink beverages provide a strong foundation for its next chapter."

How the deal fits the protein ingredients market

Protein ingredients serve nutritional beverages, dietary supplements, functional foods, and performance nutrition products. Manufacturers in these categories need specialized processing to hit particular targets for texture, stability, solubility, and formulation.

Erie Foods' dairy protein processing and extrusion skills add a capability set Actus lacked in depth, while Actus' milk and whey operations, private-label capacity, and custom formulation work let the combined business serve a broader range of customer requirements.

The transaction also gives Erie Foods the backing of a larger ingredient manufacturing platform supported by Butterfly Equity, a private equity firm focused on food and beverage investments.

PKF Investment Banking, which specializes in lower-middle-market M&A, said the deal reflects its experience advising privately held businesses in specialty ingredients and nutrition. Its professionals have collectively completed more than 450 M&A engagements across North America and international markets during their careers, spanning food and beverage, consumer products, distribution, professional services, industrials, and technology.

The closing leaves Actus with a strengthened position across dairy proteins, nutritional ingredients, and customized food processing — and leaves Butterfly Equity with a wider platform to consolidate as protein demand keeps pulling capital into the ingredient sector.