Compasss Group buys High Food Services Ltd., Lancaster, Pa.

Compass Group, owner of Canteen Vending Services Inc., has acquired the Lancaster, Pa.-based High Food Services Ltd., which had about $16 million in vending, coffee service, catering and foodservice sales in 2005, for an undisclosed sum.

Mike Van Belle, senior vice president and chief financial

officer at The High Companies, said his company decided that vending and foodservice did not fit into its long-term plans. The High Companies is a "mini conglomerate" that owns businesses in structural steel fabrication, precast concrete manufacturing, steel distribution, real estate management, construction and hotel management.

Van Belle said The High Companies recognized that the vending and foodservice industries have been consolidating in the last 10 years and that at $16 million in annual sales, High Food Services is not a large player in the industry. He said it made sense to sell the company to another player that could make the necessary investments to grow the business

Van Belle said Compass Group agreed to retain most if not all of High Food services' 140 employees. He said the High Food Services name will be kept during a transition period. He further noted that Compass Group agreed to maintain its Lancaster, Pa., and Hanover Pa., operating facilities.