FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NC CUSTOM TO ACQUIRE FRESH BEGINNINGS

Adds Baked Good Manufacturing Capabilities to Extensive Manufacturing Roster

HICKSVILLE, NY – NC Custom, the largest food supplier to the promotional products industry and a top-40 promotional products supplier, (ASI: 44900; SAGE: 52303; PPAI: 111662; PPPC: 920802) has acquired the assets of Valdosta, GA customized baked goods manufacturer Fresh Beginnings®.  As part of the acquisition, NC Custom adds baked goods manufacturing capabilities to its already robust roster of confectionery and edible manufacturing in time for the holiday season.

For the last 30 years, Fresh Beginnings has been a fixture in the Auto Dealer and Promotional Products Space, offering unforgettable cookies and brownies, made-to-order with premium ingredients to maintain that fresh-from-the-oven, homemade taste.  NC Custom will be continuing that “made by grandma” experience, using the same recipes and careful craftsmanship.

“We have tremendous respect for the Fresh Beginnings® business, and the product quality and taste of their freshly baked goods. We are excited for NC Custom to expand its footprint in the baked goods space,” said David Miller, President of NC Custom (Chocolate Inn, Lanco, and Ace).  “This addition complements the success of several recent bakery category offerings, and further solidifies our current position as a market-leading manufacturer in what we see as an untapped segment in the marketplace.”

“Fresh Beginnings® and NC Custom share common values – a passion for customer service and made-in-the USA product excellence,” added Lance Stier, CEO of NC Custom. “Since the company’s founding, the business has been laser-focused on delivering a top-notch customer experience– we are excited to ‘bake it happen’ by building upon that legacy plus add a range of our products to create new, unique and exciting experiences.”

The addition of the Fresh Beginnings® brand to the NC Custom roster opens up new avenues of custom manufacturing solutions for NC Custom and its customers, including cookie kits, edible/hard good combinations, and mailers for everyday and holiday.  NC Custom will also be adding Fresh Beginnings’ individual fulfillment and program support, which will allow customers to create one-off drop shipments for events like client/employee anniversaries, birthdays, new accounts, customer appreciation, sales follow up, and more. Further, NC Custom expects to utilize Fresh Beginnings custom engineered platform for single order fulfillment to support its expansion of program and drop shipment business.

NC Custom will be relocating Fresh Beginnings’ manufacturing from Georgia to New York with capabilities up and running in time to fulfill Holiday 2022 orders.  For more information, visit, www.nccustom.com.

ABOUT NC Custom

With over 50 years of combined award-winning experience, NC Custom (ASI: 44900; SAGE: 52303; PPAI: 111662; PPPC: 920802), is a top-40 ASI Supplier, and the leading diversified manufacturer of 3,000 plus items, ranging across confectionery, mints, chocolate, hard goods, health and beauty, wellness, premium apparel and soft goods, servicing distributors in the promotional products industry. NC Custom remains the only food vendor in the promotional products industry that is SQF certified – the highest global standard of food safety. The Company operates out of 2 world-class manufacturing facilities and features an industry-leading assortment of printing, packaging, and decorating capabilities. As a leading manufacturer, NC Custom also features extensive product customization capabilities, including custom shaped mints, custom shaped chocolate, custom formulated lip balm, candles, lotions, and more.  It owns industry brands including Chocolate Inn ®, Taylor & Grant ®, Lanco®, ACE USA ® and partner brands include M&M’s ®, Godiva ®, Lindt ®, Jelly Belly ®, Mrs. Fields ® and more.

For more information, please see www.nccustom.com.

ABOUT FRESH BEGINNINGS

Fresh Beginnings has been manufacturing and shipping cookies, candies and chocolates across the country for over 30 years. Each recipe and assortment has been carefully created and designed to guarantee the perfect gift every time. Top quality products supported by an outstanding sales and customer service team have made Fresh Beginnings a leader in the food gift industry.

While Fresh Beginnings’ Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookie remains its #1 seller, Fresh Beginnings has expanded its gourmet selections to include a wide variety of cookies, brownies, chocolate candies, pretzels and nuts made and packaged to order.

The Company is a leader in program fulfillment with a robust state-of-the art technology platform for single order drop shipments.

The company’s gourmet cookies and chocolates are fresh baked in the Fresh Beginnings on-site bakery.