SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Encore Consumer Capital, a private equity firm that invests exclusively in leading consumer products companies, has completed the sale of its portfolio company, Juice Tyme, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of shelf-stable, bag-in-box juice and beverage concentrates for use in foodservice dispensing machines, to Highlander Partners, L.P.
Scott Sellers, Managing Director of Encore Consumer Capital, said, “This is a bittersweet day for Encore. We are pleased with the successful exit of Juice Tyme and feel that Highlander will be a great partner to carry the company forward. However, we will miss working with Juice Tyme’s talented and dedicated management team. It has been a pleasure working with them as they led the company through significant growth, two dividend recapitalizations and an expansion of the company’s manufacturing facility.”
Juice Tyme CEO Philip Scott spoke about working with Encore. “All of us at Juice Tyme appreciate the partnership and support we have received from Encore during the last seven years. As a family owned business, we had concerns about our transition to private equity, but Encore helped make it a very smooth and positive process. Over the years, they have helped us with strategy, marketing, financial and personnel issues. Encore always encouraged our management team to make the right long term decision for Juice Tyme and our customers, and this has allowed our company to continue to grow and prosper. We will miss our day-to-day relationship with Encore.”
Founded in 1980, Chicago-based Juice Tyme provides shelf-stable, bag-in-box concentrates across an array of beverages to various foodservice markets including restaurants, bars, healthcare and school cafeterias. Juice Tyme’s concentrates include classic juice beverages, fortified juices, enhanced waters, sports drinks, energy drinks, teas and cocktail mixers.
Piper Jaffray & Co. acted as financial advisor for Juice Tyme and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel.
About Encore Consumer Capital
Encore Consumer Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm focused on the consumer products industry. The firm has raised nearly $400 million in equity capital and invested in sixteen companies. Encore’s current and prior investments include high-growth food companies (Aidells Sausage Company, Mesa Foods, Ciao Bella Gelato Company, The Quinoa Corporation), beverage companies (The Isopure Company, Juice Tyme), personal care products companies (MyChelle Dermaceuticals, Tarte), and pet products companies (Thunderworks, Zuke’s). The firm targets companies with between $10 million and $100 million in annual revenues where Encore’s strong operating expertise in strategy development, brand marketing, and distribution expansion can help drive performance. For more information please visit www.encoreconsumer.com.
About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with partners that have committed over $500 million of principal funds for direct private equity investments in North America and Central Europe. The firm focuses on making investments in middle market businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, building materials and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions.
For more information about Highlander Partners, please visit www.highlander-partners.com.