Highlander Partners Announces the Acquisition of Juice Tyme, Inc.

CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlander Partners, L.P., a Dallas-based private investment firm, today announced the acquisition of Juice Tyme, Inc.  Founded in 1980, Juice Tyme is a Chicago-based provider of shelf-stable, bag-in-box juice and beverage concentrates that primarily serves the foodservice industry.

Juice Tyme will continue to operate under its existing name and operating structure with its current management team, led by President and CEO Philip Scott.   The Company's management team has successfully grown the business for the last seven years under the ownership of Encore Consumer Capital and has positioned Juice Tyme as a strong leader in the shelf-stable bag-in-box juice market. 

Mr. Scott commented, "Juice Tyme is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services available in the marketplace.  Our partnership with Highlander will bring additional strategic support to the Company, especially in the areas of finance and sales and marketing. The management team at Juice Tyme strongly believes that this partnership will enhance the Company's growth prospects and is looking forward to sharing the benefits of this new relationship with our customers and employees in the future."

Alex Guiva, a Partner at Highlander and Chairman of Juice Tyme, stated, "Juice Tyme is an exceptional company with incredible potential for continued growth.  We will leverage Highlander's hospitality and food industry expertise to focus on the Company's sales strategy and market penetration.  In addition to organic growth efforts, we will actively seek juice, concentrate and beverage acquisition opportunities to expand Juice Tyme's offerings in the foodservice market and beyond."

Piper Jaffray & Co. acted as financial advisor to Juice Tyme in the transaction.  FirstMerit Bank, N.A. provided a senior financing facility in support of the transaction.

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.

About Juice Tyme, Inc.

Juice Tyme, Inc. manufactures and sells juice and beverage concentrates for the foodservice industry in the United States. It offers juices, drinks, sugar-free beverages, thickened and enhanced waters, sports and energy drinks, iced teas, margaritas and cocktail mixers, frozen drinks and smoothie mixes, and flavor shots. The company serves restaurants and bars, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, business and industry, healthcare, military, recreation and lodging, and convenience stores markets. It markets its products through a network of beverage and foodservice distributors. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

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 about Encore, please visit www.EncoreConsumerCapital.com

SOURCE Highlander Partners, L.P.