Market Research Report: Harvest Hill Beverage Company
Company Overview
Harvest Hill Beverage Company, established in 2014 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, has rapidly become a prominent player in the U.S. beverage industry. The company boasts a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Juicy Juice®, SunnyD®, Veryfine®, Fruit2O®, Little HUG®, Daily’s Cocktails®, and Nutrament®. These brands cater to a wide range of consumer preferences, from children's juices to adult cocktails.
Ownership and Management
Harvest Hill is owned by Brynwood Partners, a private equity firm known for acquiring and revitalizing consumer brands. In August 2018, John LeBoutillier transitioned from his role as President and CEO of Harvest Hill to become a Managing Director at Brynwood Partners. He was succeeded by Robert Mortati, formerly the Chief Marketing Officer of Apple & Eve LLC.
Product Portfolio
The company's product lineup includes:
- Juicy Juice®: A leading 100% juice brand targeting the children's segment.
- SunnyD®: A popular juice drink known for its tangy orange flavor.
- Veryfine®: A brand offering a variety of fruit juices.
- Fruit2O®: The first flavored water product introduced to the market.
- Little HUG®: Single-serve fruit drinks popular among children.
- Daily’s Cocktails®: Ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and mixers.
- Nutrament®: A dairy-based energy drink with a loyal consumer base.
Strategic Acquisitions
Harvest Hill has expanded its brand portfolio through several strategic acquisitions:
- Juicy Juice®: Acquired from Nestlé USA, Inc. in June 2014.
- American Beverage Corporation: Acquired in March 2015 for approximately $55 million, adding brands like Little HUG® and Daily’s Cocktails® to the portfolio.
- Faribault Foods' Beverage Manufacturing Assets: Acquired in November 2016, including a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Elk River, Minnesota.
- Nutrament®: Acquired from Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. in December 2016, strengthening Harvest Hill's position in the dairy-based energy drink segment.
Manufacturing Capabilities
Harvest Hill operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S., including the Elk River plant acquired from Faribault Foods. These facilities are strategically located to ensure efficient distribution and access to major transportation lanes. The company offers contract manufacturing services, producing a variety of beverages in multiple packaging formats for various channels, including grocery, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, foodservice, liquor stores, and distributors/wholesalers.
Market Position and Advertising
Harvest Hill is recognized as one of the largest independent beverage companies in the U.S. The company has invested in advertising across digital and national TV platforms, with expenditures under $100 million in the past year. They have advertised on over 50 different media properties and launched new products, such as Poppilu, in the past twelve months.
