Fact Sheet
March 30, 2010

History:

H. Brooks and Company was founded more than 100 years ago by a 12-year-old boy with a horse and produce cart. Today the company offers nearly 1,000 produce items, 150 fresh organic items, 600 authentic fresh and packaged Hispanic items, legendary caramel apples, logistics and warehousing services, packaged fresh produce services, fresh-cut fruit and veggies and more.

Brings Co. was founded nearly 80 years ago by teenage neighbors with a Model A truck. Specializing in onions, rutabagas and shallots, Brings Co. is a nationally recognized leader in high quality and exceptional customer service.

Leadership:

Phillip Brooks
H. Brooks and Company CEO
(Grandson of business founder)

Pat Coan
Brings Co. President
(Daughter of business founder)

Key Message:

Two of the Twin Cities’ oldest family-owned produce companies are joining together to offer customers the best quality produce fresher and faster. Guaranteed.

Q & A

Why is Brings Co. selling?

Brings has long been a leader in the onion, rutabaga and shallot market. H. Brooks and Company has long been a leader in fresh produce and was interested in diversifying. Since the families have known each other for nearly 80 years and Brings had outgrown their facility, the new partnership was a natural fit.

Where will the Brings Co. office be located?

The entire Brings Co. staff will soon move to H. Brooks and Company, 600 Lakeview Point Drive, New Brighton, MN, 55112.

Will Brings Co. leadership remain in place?

Yes, Pat Coan will remain President and all Brings Co. staff will retain their current positions.

Is this the end of the Brings Co. brand and identity?

No, not at all, Brings Co. will retain the integrity of their brand and their identity. Their mission to, “Offer the best quality available, super customer service and competitive prices,” will not change.

The only thing that will change is that Brings Co. customers and suppliers will now have an improved infrastructure.

Why is this being referred to as a partnership?

Both Phillip Brooks, CEO of H. Brooks and Company and Pat Coan, President, Brings Co. have known each other all their lives. While the transaction is technically a sale, both principals will lead the newly expanded company together and view the sale as a true partnership, with both companies becoming stronger and more vital as a result.

What will change at Brings Co.?

Aside from the fact that their office will move a few miles, the only change customers can expect are value-added services like:

• New marketing tools
• A warehouse that is PRIMUS lab certified and a member of Midwest Food Alliance
• Distributing capability for nearly 1,000 fresh produce items, 150 fresh organic items, 600 authentic fresh and packaged Hispanic items, legendary caramel apples, logistics and warehousing services, packaged fresh produce services, fresh-cut fruit and veggies and more

Will Brings Co. retain relationships with current growers?

Yes. Brings Co. has relationships with growers that extend 45 or more years. That won’t change.