US – EARI Beverage Group, a diversified beverage, and media group has acquired the Blossom Botanical Water Brand to expand its footprint in the functional and craft beverage market segments.

Blossom is credited with creating a new sub-category of plant-based waters using botanicals.

The brand has distribution along the US East Coast and Midwest and has generated roughly US$4 million in gross sales since its inception. 

EARI said the acquisition of Massachusetts-based Blossom Botanical Water fits perfectly with its strategy of identifying and acquiring brands in high-growth categories.

Bernard Rubin, CEO of the EARI Beverage Group stated: “The exciting addition of this immunity-boosting botanical water fits perfectly with our craft and functional beverage portfolio.”

“An immediate priority is to test new variants and more environmentally friendly packaging.”

He added that With EARI’s rapid expansion, it is very exciting to have the exceptional talent of Steve Fortuna, founder of Blossom Botanical Water, on the team to help the company achieve these objectives.

Blossom Founder & CEO Steve Fortuna commented that Blossom has been a first mover in the use of flower botanicals for the beverage category.

She noted that now under the EARI umbrella, the brand will go on to achieve its full potential in the marketplace.

 

 

Humble Group acquires Australia’s Body Science International

Elsewhere, Humble Group, a Swedish food tech, and FMCG group has diversified its growing sports nutrition portfolio with the addition of Australia’s Body Science International.

Financial terms were not disclosed, although, the deal is expected to close within 60 days

The Body Science deal marks Humble’s expansion into a new market, described as a “strategic step” by CEO Simon Petrén.

Body Science generates sales equivalent to SEK284million (US$26.9M) and profits based on EBITDA of SEK53million (US$ 5.05M).

The company supplies its own brand of protein and creatine powders, including vegan varieties, protein bars, and mousse snack bars sold via direct-to-consumer and independent retailers.

Petrén, stated: “Body Science is a prominent player in nutrition in the Australian market and is actively working to develop, market, and sell leading products based on high-quality ingredients.”

In addition to expanding our product offering through the acquisition, we are also taking a strategic step into a new geographic market.”

He added that the strategic expansion will open up additional distribution opportunities to stores with nationwide coverage and new sales channels in online sales.

Body Science, based in Burleigh Heads in Queensland, is the latest M&A deal in the category for Stockholm-listed Humble, which last year acquired Sweden’s Swecarb, the supplier of the Vitargo sports-nutrition brand.

Previous deals include Performance R Us, Nordic Sports Nutrition, and Viterna, which all sell branded products to retailers in the Nordic region.

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE