Sun Orchard acquires assets of Blue Lake Citrus Products

Transaction includes Noble juice brand, manufacturing equipment

November 29, 2016

Miami-based Sun Orchard, a premier juice and beverage products producer, announced the acquisition of certain assets of Blue Lake Citrus Products LLC, Winter Haven, Fla. Previously, Blue Lake was held by the Seminole Tribe of Florida Inc. and Wm. G. Roe & Sons Inc.

The assets being acquired include the Blue Lake product portfolio, currently being offered under the Noble juice brand, and certain pieces of its manufacturing equipment. Blue Lake’s retail customers include Publix Super Markets, Ahold, ACME Markets, Giant Eagle Supermarket and Whole Foods Market. The opportunity to forge long-term relationships with this portfolio of retail customers supports Sun Orchard's plan to further its presence in its retail markets, the company says. The acquisition also will enhance Sun Orchard's current distribution to grocery stores, supermarkets and other third party retailers, it adds.

"We have been impressed with the Blue Lake products and their growth initiatives for quite some time and are delighted to bring products of exceptional taste and quality into our family of juice offerings,” said Jean-Marc Rotsaert, executive chairman of Sun Orchard, in a statement. “The assets being acquired today present Sun Orchard with an exceptional opportunity to notably escalate its growth. In conjunction with our long-term strategy to augment distribution channels, the addition of increased retail presence and our ability to deliver our highest-quality products to more customers are exciting for Sun Orchard. We look forward to continuing our expansion into new markets geographically with a wider range of citrus-based products."

Tena Granit, executive director of finance for Seminole Tribe of Florida Inc., added: "We are pleased to have found a home for Blue Lake's excellent assets with Sun Orchard, a natural successor to our efforts to provide the retail industry with high-quality, premium products. We are excited to continue to watch the growth and success of Sun Orchard as these assets continue on their journey of expansion."

Quentin Roe, president of Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc. commented: "We are pleased with the growth of Blue Lake's position in the marketplace. Given this success, it is time for an even larger company with further reach in the business to help the Blue Lake products expand their success. We could not be more excited for our product line and its customers with the commitment that Sun Orchard is making."

Sun Orchard is a Centre Partners portfolio company. Cross Keys Capital represented Blue Lake in the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not announced.

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