Akron’s Country Pure Foods Announces New Ownership

AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Country Pure Foods, a leading independent producer and distributor of quality premium juices, announced today that it has been acquired by Mistral Equity Partners and Management from the affiliates of First Atlantic Capital and DN Partners. Country Pure Foods, an Akron-based company which has grown significantly over the past five years, supplies juice to retailers, schools, hospitals and institutions across the nation and is also a key manufacturing partner for a number of nationally branded juice companies. According to Mistral, the management team at Country Pure Foods will remain unchanged and continue to have an ownership position in the company.

“Take a fresh look at the juice industry”

“We are extremely pleased with our new ownership. They have vast experience in the food and beverage industries as well as significant resources that can immediately be applied to our strategic growth initiatives,” said Country Pure Foods’ President and CEO Raymond K. Lee. “Mistral shares our vision for rapid growth through product and customer innovation and we look forward to a profitable partnership.”

Mistral, a private equity firm based in New York City, brings specialization in the consumer, retail, and consumer focused media sectors and is especially attracted to businesses that are supported by strong demographic trends and fundamental changes in consumer preferences.

“Country Pure Foods’ broad product and packaging offerings, along with its ability to service customers across the foodservice, retail and co-pack channels, have positioned the company as an industry leader,” said Andrew Heyer, Managing Partner for Mistral Equity Partners.

“Country Pure Foods is poised to take advantage of a number of favorable trends in its core markets, including growth in spending on health care and student meal programs, the continued outsourcing of certain product categories by major juice marketers, and expanding private label juice programs.”

Country Pure Foods currently offers more than 350 unique products across 24 packaging types and 38 distinct flavors. The company’s diverse product offering is supported by three manufacturing facilities located in Ohio, Florida and Connecticut. Servicing foodservice, retail and private label segments, some of Country Pure Foods’ brands include Ardmore Farms, Glacier Valley, and Natural Country.

About Country Pure Foods, LLC

Country Pure Foods makes individually packaged fresh fruit drinks, juices, and nectars. Today, it is one of the nation’s largest independent processors of juice products for grocery and convenience stores, foodservice and contract manufacturing segments. Multiple plant locations allow Country Pure Foods to efficiently service its nationwide customer base with a broad line of product packaging alternatives for its own branded, as well as its private label and contract manufacturing customers. The company’s tagline is: “Take a fresh look at the juice industry” and its website can be found at www.juice4u.com. You can also find Country Pure Foods at twitter.com/countrypure and facebook.com under Country Pure Foods.

About Mistral Equity Partners

Mistral Equity Partners is a private equity firm comprised of highly experienced investment professionals and seasoned industry executives. The firm specializes in the consumer, retail, and consumer focused media sectors. Mistral’s principals have a long history of working together and identifying successful investment opportunities with these characteristics. For more information visit their website at: www.mistralequity.com.