Penta Fine Ingredients has completed its acquisition of ICS Georgia, Inc., which operates as Synerzine, adding more than 1,200 aroma ingredients and expanded manufacturing capabilities to its flavor and fragrance business. The company also named Judy Pruss, Synerzine’s former president, chief commercial officer, placing her in charge of customer engagement, business development and commercial strategy across the combined organization.
Based in Ellenwood, Georgia, Synerzine brings more than 40 years of experience serving the flavor and fragrance industries. Its portfolio includes a specialty pyrazine catalog and hundreds of natural, kosher and halal materials. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This acquisition expands Penta’s capabilities in flavors and fragrances and adds a complementary manufacturing platform,” said Greg Robertson, chief executive officer of Penta Fine Ingredients. “We are pleased to have Judy, who has led Synerzine as president, join Penta as chief commercial officer. Her relationships with customers will be central to how we serve the combined customer base going forward.”
Pruss, who led Synerzine as president for nearly a decade, said the acquisition marks a new phase for the business while emphasizing continuity for existing customers.
“I am proud of what the Synerzine team has built and grateful to our customers for their trust over many years,” said Pruss. “Joining Penta represents an exciting next chapter. Together, we will offer a broader portfolio, expanded capabilities, and continue to support our customers with the service and quality they expect.”
The transaction follows a series of developments at Penta in 2026 as the company pursues growth through leadership changes, operational investment and acquisitions.
In September, Penta appointed Robertson chief executive officer after he assumed the role of president in June. He succeeded Mike Size, who remained on the company’s board of directors. Robertson’s mandate includes customer engagement, business development, portfolio expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Penta has also invested in supply chain technology. In April, the company announced the integration of Lora AI, an AI-powered supply chain intelligence platform, into its procurement operations. Connected to Penta’s Sage X3 enterprise resource planning system, the platform uses historical and real-time data to support demand forecasting, safety stock optimization, purchase order visibility and proactive alerts.
The initiative is intended to help Penta anticipate customer needs amid the challenges of chemical distribution, including long international lead times, fluctuating demand, shelf-life constraints and complex supplier networks. The company said the technology is designed to complement its existing expertise, with potential to extend into sales planning, customer service and inventory optimization.
The Synerzine acquisition aligns with Penta’s stated strategy of expanding through acquisitions in ingredient and specialty chemical distribution and manufacturing. For flavor and fragrance customers, the combined portfolio and manufacturing capabilities could broaden ingredient access, while the company’s investments in procurement technology aim to strengthen supply planning and customer service.
“This acquisition is consistent with the strategy we outlined when we partnered with Penta,” said Matt DeLong, managing director at Keystone Capital Management, Penta’s investment partner. “Judy’s commercial leadership, together with the Synerzine product portfolio, will be instrumental as we scale the business and pursue long-term value creation.”
Penta said it will continue to seek acquisition opportunities in the ingredients and specialty chemical distribution and manufacturing sectors.
