(BusinessWire) H.I.G. Capital, LLC (“H.I.G.”), a leading global private investment firm, announced today that its Brazilian affiliate has completed a strategic investment in Creme Mel Sorvetes (“Creme Mel” or “The Company”), a leading Brazilian Ice Cream Company.

Headquartered in Goiás, Creme Mel is the largest ice cream producer in the Mid-West of Brazil. The Company has over 900 employees and sells ice cream in 9 Brazilian states. H.I.G.’s investment will allow Creme Mel to expand its production capacity with the construction of a new plant and will provide capital for a faster expansion throughout Brazil.

“We are very excited to have H.I.G. as a partner. Their ability and experience in helping companies grow all over the world will help accelerate the expansion of Creme Mel into new markets. We’ll be able to take Creme Mel ice creams to even more clients, always keeping our high quality standards,” commented Antonio Santos, founder of Creme Mel. Both current shareholders, Antonio Santos and Group Odilon Santos, will remain shareholders after H.I.G.’s investment.

Fernando Marques Oliveira, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Brazil, said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to help Creme Mel’s management team continue its tremendous success story of rapid growth. Creme Mel produces top-of-class products and is very well positioned to expand its sales throughout Brazil. With a team of skilled and seasoned professionals already in place, we will work together with management to bring additional talent needed to support the Company’s growth.”