The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
Private label bottler Advanced H2O in Seattle has been purchased by Dallas-based private equity firm HM Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum. The move comes amid several food and beverage company acquisitions by HM Capital, which currently owns Sturm Foods, a maker of nutritional drink mixes.
Advanced H2O was founded in 1998 and provides low-cost private label bottled water to supermarket chains and regional retailers on the West Coast. The company will be familiar to water innovation readers for teaming up with children’s stationery brand Crayola in August 2006 to launch Crayola Color Coolerz!, a vitamin enhanced water aimed at kids.
HM Capital is currently investing and managing more than $3.7 billion in equity capital. The company has previously invested in food companies including Swift & Co, Morningstar Group, G Heilman Brewing, Ghiradelli Chocolate and G.H. Mumm/Perrier Jouët. It was originally founded by Tom Hicks and John Muse. Hicks is no longer involved in the firm.