The Original Cakerie, a manufacturer of frozen desserts for retail and foodservice customers across North America, announced that it has named Paul J. Lapadat as Chief Executive Officer of a new holding company established to accelerate growth. Mr. Lapadat, a longtime executive with deep experience leading both consumer product conglomerates and specialty food companies, succeeds Dave Hood who was CEO of The Original Cakerie for more than 20 years. Mr. Hood will become an Advisor to the Board of Directors of The Original Cakerie.
Concurrently, The Original Cakerie announced it has restructured its business under a holding company known as Desserts Holdings, based in St. Paul, MN. Desserts Holdings will allow a shared services model and integrated selling organization between The Original Cakerie and Lawler Foods to better serve current and prospective customers. Both The Original Cakerie and Lawler Foods are portfolio companies of Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based middle market private equity firm.
The Original Cakerie, founded in 1979, is based in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, with a second production facility in London, Ontario. Lawler Foods, a manufacturer of gourmet cheesecakes, layer cakes, pies and other desserts, is based in Humble, TX. Together, the companies serve over 200 customers in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.
As part of the transition, Chris W. Rogers has also been named CFO for the Holding Company and will report to Mr. Lapadat in the St. Paul office. Doris Bitz, SVP Retail Sales & Marketing, will become President of The Original Cakerie. The Original Cakerie and Lawler Foods will remain stand-alone, independent operating companies with their own brands. The companies’ manufacturing operations will remain in Delta, London, and the Houston area.