Kainos Capital, a leading food and consumer-focused private equity firm, today announced that Rob Ruegger has joined the firm as a Managing Director, further expanding its operations management capabilities. Mr. Ruegger most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Gehl Foods, LLC where he was responsible for all aspects of manufacturing and supply chain. Mr. Ruegger brings to the Kainos team over 30 years of extensive experience in financial and general management in the food and consumer goods industries.
Andrew Rosen, Managing Partner of Kainos, said, “We are excited to have Rob join our organization as a valuable member of the Kainos Operations Team, which works closely in partnership with our portfolio company management teams to unlock greater value on behalf of our investors. These dedicated resources make us the partner of choice to consumer products businesses looking to accelerate their growth and profitability – particularly family-owned businesses looking to take the next step in their evolution – and are an invaluable resource in situations that require greater management intensity such as corporate carve-outs.”
Bob Sperry, a Partner of Kainos, said, “As our investments continue to grow, so have our in-house operating abilities. Rob will work closely with our portfolio companies to help build and oversee their financial organizations and reporting capabilities. He joins our strong group of other talented operating executives in the areas of manufacturing process improvement and supply chain management who assist us in creating best-in-class companies in the food and consumer products sectors.”
Mr. Ruegger joined Gehl Foods from Bay Valley Foods where he was Senior Vice President and General Manager, and managed multiple business units. Prior to Bay Valley Foods, he was Chief Financial Officer of Sturm Foods, Inc. for twelve years where he partnered with Andrew Rosen and other members of the Kainos team. Mr. Ruegger also held a wide range of financial positions at both Schreiber Foods and Schneider National. Mr. Ruegger received a B.A. in economics and management from Beloit College and obtained his M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
About Kainos Capital
Kainos Capital is a middle market private equity firm with an exclusive focus on the food and consumer products sectors. The Kainos team has extensive investment and operating experience in the industry, having invested over $2 billion of equity in more than 65 transactions with a total transaction value in excess of $10 billion. The firm’s strategy is to build a diversified portfolio of growing and strategically relevant food and consumer businesses that trade buyers would like to acquire. For more information, visit Kainos Capital’s website at www.kainoscapital.com.
