Sauer Brands offloads spice business to Watkins

Sauer Brands offloads spice business to Watkins

Satarupa Bhowmik

Thu, September 10, 2026 at 3:42 PM GMT+3 1 min read

Sauer Brands has struck a deal to sell its spice and seasonings business to fellow US manufacturer Watkins.

The financial terms of the transaction were not revealed.

Under the agreement, Watkins will secure the branding and distribution rights for spices and seasonings under the Kernel Season's, Spice Hunter and Sauer's brands.

The deal also covers Sauer's spice-related private label and foodservice operations.

Additionally, Watkins will assume ownership of Sauer Brands' production sites in Richmond in Virginia and in San Luis Obispo in California.

Sauer Brands, the company behind Duke's Mayo, said the disposal "sharpens" its emphasis on its condiments business.

"This transaction is an important step in our broader strategy to build a more focused condiments business, which includes our flagship brands Duke's Mayonnaise and Mateo's Gourmet Salsa, as well as a leading foodservice business," said E. Yuri Hermida, who became CEO of Sauer Brands in March last year.

The completion of the deal is expected in the third quarter, pending the fulfilment of customary closing conditions.

J.R. Rigley, the CEO of Watkins, said the company's new assets will "complement" its existing operations.

"We see significant potential in using Watkins' expertise and steadfast reputation to expand our reach in branded, foodservice and private label categories," Rigley added,

Sauer Brands runs manufacturing facilities in Mauldin, South Carolina; New Century, Kansas; and San Luis Obispo, California.

In 2019, the business was acquired by Charlotte, North Carolina-based investment firm Falfurrias.

Private-equity firm Advent International completed the purchase of Sauer Brands from Falfurrias in February last year.

"Sauer Brands offloads spice business to Watkins" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.