HOW WE DID IT
AgroFresh Solutions Inc. is a Philadelphia-based provider of technologies and services that make it possible to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
During its eight-year existence as a public company, following its sale to a public investment vehicle in 2015, AgroFresh faced several marketplace and business challenges. Its patent on its award-winning technology SmartFresh™—which slows the ripening process by interacting with ethylene (a naturally occurring hormone that causes fruits to ripen) so that fruits and other produce have a longer shelf life—had ended. In addition, AgroFresh had limited access to capital, it had taken on expensive mezzanine financing during COVID-19, its debt was coming due, and the refinancing market was restricted, all stymying AgroFresh’s ability to grow and expand its product line.
Clinton A. Lewis, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
The members of the MoFo team have the industry expertise to deeply immerse themselves in our business. They focus not only on the legal aspects at hand, but also on the drivers of our business, and that makes them very effective partners for AgroFresh.
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Background
Morrison Foerster is recognized and ranked as the leading firm representing business and investors focused on food and agriculture. Our cross-disciplinary team includes attorneys with strong technical backgrounds and deep industry knowledge of the food & agriculture sector. We partnered with AgroFresh to address its unique business challenges, relying on our industry-related transactional and financing experience to provide strategic advice to help it overcome capital constraints and position itself for future growth. We helped the company complete its $545 million go-private buyout deal with sustainable food chain investing firm Paine Schwartz Partners, as well as successfully acquire Tessara, a post-harvest solutions provider, from global investment firm Carlyle.
Our industry team brought together the vital areas of law required for AgroFresh to navigate a complex business landscape and create real value in the marketplace. MoFo’s work on behalf of AgroFresh has been critical in charting its path to future success.
The Result
MoFo Team
Mitchell S. Presser
Partner, New York
Partner, New York
Omar E. Pringle
Partner, San Francisco | Boston
Michael Ward
View Mitchell's Bio
View michael's Bio
View Omar's Bio
Ph.D.s and 100+ advanced degrees in biology, plant physiology, chemistry, and related fields of Food + Agriculture
lawyers and patent agents on our global Food + Ag team
150
full-service commercial law firm with a dedicated food & agriculture sector team
#1
80+
MoFo Team
Result
Background
A Strategic Partner for Growth
AgroFresh
CASE STUDY
Background
Result
MoFo Team
