In September 2006, CHAMP together with its affiliate Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York-based private-equity investment firm, acquired Great Western Malting, Canada Malting Company, Barrett Burston Malting and a 60 percent interest in Bairds Malt to create United Malt Holdings (“UMH”), one of the world’s largest producers of malt for use in the brewing and distilling industries. The businesses were acquired from Conagra Foods Inc of the United States and Tiger Brands of South Africa.

UMH has revenues in excess of US$600 million and has approximately one million tons of annual malt production capacity from 14 plants in four countries. It operates in the United States, trading as Great Western Malting; Canada, trading as Canada Malting Company; Australia, trading as Barrett Burston Malting and the United Kingdom where it owns a 60 percent interest in Bairds Malt. UMH is a leader in its industry, serving many of the world’s largest brewers and distillers.

CHAMP and Castle Harlan Inc., together with UMH’s management team will focus on building successful long-term relationships with customers and seek to further grow and improve the business.