Universal Pure Acquires Stay Fresh Foods

Universal Pure Acquires Hydrofresh HPP from Keller Logistics Group

May 31, 2022

Food & Beverage

Universal Pure Holdings, a Tilia Holdings portfolio company, acquired Hydrofresh HPP from Keller Logistics Group to expand its national high pressure processing (HPP) and cold chain platform. The deal increases Universal Pure's Midwest footprint, adds HPP capacity and cold storage capability in Delphos, Ohio, and strengthens service access for food & beverage customers across seven strategic regions.

Aurora Capital Partners Acquires Universal Pure

November 2, 2022

Food & Beverage

Aurora Capital Partners has acquired Universal Pure Holdings, LLC, the largest independent provider of high-pressure processing (HPP) and cold-chain food safety services in North America, from Tilia Holdings. Universal Pure, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, operates ~20 HPP machines across eight U.S. facilities (1.1 million sq. ft.) and ~800 employees; terms were not disclosed.

Universal Pure Acquires Texas Food Solutions HPP Assets

April 19, 2023

Food & Beverage

Universal Pure LLC, a portfolio company of Aurora Capital Partners, has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire all High Pressure Processing (HPP) assets of Texas Food Solutions. The transaction expands Universal Pure's HPP and cold‑chain capacity in southeast Texas and Louisiana, adding redundancy and supporting growth across its facility network.

Universal Pure Acquires Dora's Naturals' HPP Assets

February 17, 2025

Food & Beverage

Universal Pure Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Aurora Capital Partners, has acquired the High-Pressure Processing (HPP) assets of Dora's Naturals. The deal — terms not disclosed — expands Universal Pure's HPP capacity in the Northeastern United States as Dora's exits the HPP business to focus on its core distribution operations.

Tilia Holdings Recapitalizes Ever Fresh Fruit Company

December 21, 2023

Food & Beverage

Chicago-based private investment firm Tilia Holdings completed a majority recapitalization of Ever Fresh Fruit Company, a Pacific Northwest-based processor and developer of formulated fruit and flavor ingredient solutions. The McKnight family remains significant shareholders and Ever Fresh CEO Gene Mayer will continue to lead the business as Tilia supports growth, geographic expansion, and broadened ingredient applications.

Universal Corporation Acquires FruitSmart

January 3, 2020

Food & Beverage

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) has completed its acquisition of FruitSmart, an independent specialty fruit and vegetable ingredient processor headquartered in Washington's Yakima Valley. The purchase, funded with cash on hand and existing borrowing capacity, expands Universal's agri-products capabilities and serves as a foundational step toward building a broader agri-products services platform.