Wichita-based family-owned-and-operated Walton’s Inc. has acquired Advantage Food Equipment & Supplies Inc., located in Omaha, Neb.

Advantage Food distributes seasonings, equipment and supplies to commercial meat processors primarily in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and parts of the Midwest and has been in business for over 50 years.

While Walton’s and Advantage carry similar product lines, the acquisition will add one major line of seasonings to Walton’s offerings. For the past 18 years, Walton’s has been and continues to be the largest distributor of Excalibur Seasonings in the country. The acquisition of Advantage allows Walton’s to continue their dominant distributor role for Excalibur Seasonings, while also gaining new customers with the highly-regarded Newly Weds Seasonings product line.

In addition to gaining a second seasoning line, Walton’s is also gaining a second location. Walton’s will maintain and utilize the newly acquired Omaha location as a satellite campus where former Advantage employees will stay on-staff as Walton’s employees. The Walton’s headquarters, which currently boasts over 35 employees, will remain in Wichita.

“We are excited to add the Advantage members to our Walton’s team,” said Walton’s President and CEO, Brett Walton. “Their existing customer relationships along with their knowledge and experience will be a great asset in executing a smooth transition. It is good for everyone that they can stay where they are already connected, and not have to relocate or uproot their families.”

Walton believes customers stand to benefit from the additional location as well. The Walton’s Service Department, which performs maintenance and repairs on nearly all types of commercial food equipment, is increasing from 2 employees to 5 employees split between the two locations.

“Our ability to service equipment at both locations will provide tremendous benefits for our more northern customers. By giving customers access to a closer location – in terms of transit time alone – the customer could potentially save days from having to operate without their machines. That is a huge cost savings for our processors.”

Walton’s has been in business for over 30 years and supplies meat processing equipment, seasonings, and supplies to small and medium-sized independent commercial meat processors across the country. An active supporter of regional meat processing associations across the country, Walton’s is the 2016 recipient of the American Association of Meat Processors Supplier of the Year Award. In addition to serving commercial customers, Walton’s also operates two retail locations in Wichita, Kan. and ships nationwide to individual hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and backyard cooks.