Universal Pure Holdings, LLC, an independent provider of high pressure processing (HPP) and cold chain solutions for food and beverage customers in North America and portfolio company of Tilia Holdings, has acquired Hydrofresh Ltd., an outsourced HPP and cold storage provider with a leading market presence in the Midwest, from Keller Logistics Group, Inc. 

HPP is a high growth food safety and quality technology used to inactivate foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food and beverage products. HPP extends product shelf-life without the use of additives or preservatives to enable a clean-label without compromising taste, texture or nutritional value.

The transaction expands Universal Pure’s geographic reach in the Midwest, facilitating the delivery of higher levels of service and quality to its growing base of over 150 food and beverage customers. The combined company operates 20 HPP machines across its national, strategic facility footprint of seven locations, which makes it one of the largest users of HPP globally. With Universal Pure’s and Hydrofresh’s partnership, the company’s footprint is located within a truck-day of all major food production hubs in the U.S., yielding an unmatched ability to move food and beverage products across the HPP supply chain.

Located in northwestern Ohio, Hydrofresh HPP was founded in 2018 by Keller Logistics Group and Don Klausing, to provide HPP, cold storage, and distribution services to food and beverage customers. Guided by a sincere focus on customer service, the company has steadily increased its HPP capacity in its state-of- the-art facility and has made significant investments in the local community. 

“We are thrilled to add Hydrofresh HPP to the Universal Pure network, which builds a truly national platform of HPP-centered cold chain solutions. We have great respect and admiration for the company Don and his team have built over the past four years and look forward to working with the Hydrofresh HPP team to drive further growth across our businesses,” said Jeff Williams, CEO of Universal Pure.

Mayer Brown LLP served as legal advisors to Universal Pure and Twin Brook Capital Partners provided debt financing in support of the transaction.

About Universal Pure
Universal Pure is the market leading provider of food safety solutions across the cold chain and is dedicated to helping ensure the safety and quality of food and beverage products. The company is largest independent provider of high pressure processing in North America. Universal Pure operates 18 HPP machines across a strategic facility network of locations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Through its facility footprint, totaling 1.1 million square feet, Universal delivers an integrated solution and is a trusted partner in HPP, refrigerated and frozen storage, beverage bottling, kitting and assembly, tempering, and other value-added cold chain services.