Situation

Founded in 1983 by Don McGraw, Columbia Colstor, Inc. (“Colstor” or the “Company”) provides cold storage warehouse services to processors of potatoes, fruits, and other vegetables grown in the Columbia Basin as well as seafood customers near the Western Washington and Oregon border. Colstor’s operations encompass over 52 million cubic feet of temperature-controlled storage, spread across six facilities.

Prior to its sale, Colstor was the 11th-largest cold storage operator in North America, and the largest independent firm in the Pacific Northwest.

Recognizing the investment necessary to grow a network of facilities and with a desire for wealth diversification, the McGraw family sought the counsel of a trusted advisor.

ZS Role

Zachary Scott & Co. was engaged as the exclusive financial advisor to represent the Company in its search for a partner that would further advance the growth and success of the business.

Results

Zachary Scott organized a competitive sale process that attracted multiple bids from industry participants and qualified financial buyers. The sale of the Company was consummated with Lineage Logistics (“Lineage”), the nation’s second largest provider of cold storage services, backed by Bay Grove Capital. With the acquisition, Lineage doubled its presence in the Pacific Northwest to eleven locations and added to an already impressive group of employees. Don McGraw remains active in the combined company as an investor and advisor.