RLB changes hands
RLB changes hands
Two executives of RLB Food Distributors LP, based in West Caldwell, NJ, have purchased the company from its founder.
Floyd Avillo and Pat Mele III, chief operating officer and vice president/ controller, respectively, have purchased 100 percent of the company stock from Rob Bildner. The deal closed on May 9.
Mr. Bildner was president of RLB, which he founded in 1985. He and his wife, Elisa Spungen Bildner, who was president of RLB's processing division, FreshPro, have left the company to pursue other interests.
Mr. Avillo has been with RLB for 26 years, and Mr. Mele has been with RLB for nine years. In addition to his role as vice president and controller, Mr. Mele serves as general manager of FreshPro.
RLB currently services more than 1,000 supermarkets, food markets and foodservice distributors in the New York metropolitan area, New England and Washington, DC. In addition to produce, the company supplies deli and bakery products to its clients.
Mr. Avillo told The Produce News that he plans no changes that would affect RLB customers or employees. Whatever changes do come "will be on the marketing side ... getting the word out a little more on us."
Floyd Avillo and Pat Mele III, chief operating officer and vice president/ controller, respectively, have purchased 100 percent of the company stock from Rob Bildner. The deal closed on May 9.
Mr. Bildner was president of RLB, which he founded in 1985. He and his wife, Elisa Spungen Bildner, who was president of RLB's processing division, FreshPro, have left the company to pursue other interests.
Mr. Avillo has been with RLB for 26 years, and Mr. Mele has been with RLB for nine years. In addition to his role as vice president and controller, Mr. Mele serves as general manager of FreshPro.
RLB currently services more than 1,000 supermarkets, food markets and foodservice distributors in the New York metropolitan area, New England and Washington, DC. In addition to produce, the company supplies deli and bakery products to its clients.
Mr. Avillo told The Produce News that he plans no changes that would affect RLB customers or employees. Whatever changes do come "will be on the marketing side ... getting the word out a little more on us."