MIAMI – October 12, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Holland & Knight has completed a strategic acquisition on behalf of Dublin-based client Fyffes, one of the largest fresh produce distributors in Europe and among the five largest globally. The Holland & Knight team included Miami partners George Mencio and Frances Faigenblat.
Fyffes and Uniban SA, the main banana and plantain export company in Colombia, have entered into a strategic alliance in the United States through a 50/50 ownership in Turbana Corporation, the marketing subsidiary of Uniban SA in the United States. Turbana Corporation, a Florida corporation based in Coral Gables, has been in business in the United States and Canada since 1970 selling and marketing bananas, plantains and, for the past two years, pineapples.
“We are pleased to have assisted Fyffes in the successful acquisition of 50 percent of Turbana Corporation,” said Faigenblat of Holland & Knight.
“This strategic alliance between Fyffes and Uniban SA is intended to further grow Fyffes’ pineapple volume in the important United States market and strengthen Turbana’s position as a player in the domestic banana market,” added Mencio of Holland & Knight.
The relationship between both companies dates back more than 30 years. Turbana Corporation markets in excess of 10 million cases of bananas and plantains in the United States with annual sales close to US$ 100 million.
About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,250 lawyers in 26 U.S. offices. Other offices around the world are located in Mexico City, Tokyo and Beijing, with representative offices in Helsinki, Caracas and Tel Aviv. Holland & Knight is among the world’s 15 largest firms, providing representation in litigation, business, governmental law, real estate and private-wealth services. Our interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams ensure clients have access to attorneys with the best expertise, regardless of location. www.hklaw.com
