Kalustyan

Company Description

Kalustyan Corporation (“Kalustyan”), headquartered in Union, New Jersey, is a leading specialty ingredients supplier serving industrial spice blenders, food processors, flavor and fragrance manufacturers, and private-label bottlers. The Company operates three facilities across New Jersey and Indiana, employs approximately 130 people, and offers more than 3,000 SKUs of custom-ground herbs and spices. Kalustyan’s sourcing, processing, and quality assurance capabilities deliver fully traceable, specification-driven ingredients supported by Certificates of Analysis and robust food safety programs aligned with FSMA and GFSI standards.

Services Provided

MelCap served as Kalustyan’s exclusive investment banker and financial advisor in executing a strategic partnership.

The Result

In an effort to provide liquidity to the Karakash Family while positioning the Company for its next phase of growth, MelCap successfully identified the ideal partner for Kalustyan. As a result, Kalustyan entered into a strategic partnership with Awani Capital Management (“Awani”), a Washington, D.C.-area private equity firm focused on control investments in leading North American middle-market companies providing essential business and industrial services. Awani partners with management teams to accelerate growth, enhance operations, and build enduring businesses through a disciplined, collaborative approach grounded in operational excellence and long-term value creation.

Providing the Services Business Owners Need for Over Two Decades

At MelCap Partners, our team of experienced industry professionals has a high amount of respect for business owners making pivotal decisions — whether they’re selling their business or expanding. We do our best to provide services that honor the work they’ve put into building their business from the ground up.

We know the big events concerning your business are hard, especially if family is involved, and that’s why our team is ready to help so you don’t have to go through the process alone. We’ll help you navigate any challenges that come your way so you can successfully meet your goals and objectives.

If you’re ready for help taking the next step in pursuing your goals, we’d love to use our experience to get you there. We know that getting to this point hasn’t been easy and we’re here to walk you through the process. If you’re ready to start, we’d love to have you connect with one of our professionals today.

Services Provided:

Customer Industry:

Company Description

Services Provided

The Result

Providing the Services Business Owners Need for Over Two Decades

Achieve your goals with dedicated M&A advisory experts.

The M&A Advisor, 2026 Industrials Deal of the Year, 20th Annual Turnaround Awards

M&A Advisor, 2025, 16th Annual Emerging Leaders

M&A Atlas Awards, 2024 Leadership Achievement Award – Albert D. Melchiorre

M&A Atlas Awards, 2024 America’s Deal of the Year for the Kid Works – Busy Bees Acquisition

The M&A Advisor, 2022 Industrials Deal of the Year

The M&A Advisor, 2022 Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year – North America

M&A Atlas Awards, 2022 Consumer Services Deal of the Year & Industrial Deal of the Yea

Medina County Economic Development Corporation, 2021, Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The M&A Advisor, 2021 Divestiture Deal of the Year, 15th Annual Turnaround Awards

Global M&A Network, 2021 Outstanding Restructuring Firm for Boutique Investment Banking Firm

M&A Advisor, 2020 Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year

M&A Today, 2020 Global 100, Best Investment Banking Advisory of the Year.

M&A Advisor, 2020 Consumer Discretionary Turnaround Deal of the Year.

M&A Advisor, 2019 Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year.

M&A Today, 2019 Global 100, Best Investment Banking Advisory of the Year

M&A Advisor, 2018, Consumer Discretionary Deal of the Year

M&A Advisor, 2018, Out-of-Court Restructuring of the Year

ACG Cleveland Meritorious Service Award