Houlihan Lokey Advises Universal Pure Holdings, LLC

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Universal Pure Holdings, LLC (Universal Pure), a portfolio company of Tilia Holdings, LLC (Tilia), has been acquired by Aurora Capital Partners (Aurora). The terms of this transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2001, Universal Pure is the HPP partner of choice to food, beverage, and pet food manufacturers in North America and pairs that leadership position with an unrivaled suite of value-added services, including cold storage, bottling, kitting and assembly, dry aging, tempering, and inventory management. HPP is a unique technology that utilizes water and pressure to inactivate food-borne pathogens without the use of chemicals or other additives while also dramatically extending product shelf life without compromising nutritional value, taste, or texture. The company’s footprint includes eight facilities positioned nationwide across major shipping lanes and distribution centers in the U.S.

“Universal Pure has an exceptional track record of growth built around a culture of customer service,” said Randy Moser, Partner at Aurora. “Best-in-class service and a long-tenured track record combined with the largest footprint in North America uniquely positions Universal Pure in a rapidly growing industry. We see significant opportunity to build on that position and the company’s success and look forward to accelerating growth through organic expansion and its experienced acquisition program.”

“Universal Pure is an ideal match for the Aurora program,” said Mark Rosenbaum, Partner at Aurora. “Jeff and his team have built an impressive platform, and we are excited to capitalize on the significant runway that the business has through new and existing relationships with blue chip customers. We are thrilled to be chosen as Universal Pure’s partner at an exciting time in its evolution.”

“Aurora has a well-deserved reputation of partnering with management teams to help accelerate growth,” said Jeff Williams, CEO of Universal Pure. “We are confident they are the right partner for Universal Pure at this stage of its development, and with their partnership, we are excited to continue adding to the solutions we offer our customers and to execute on our many growth initiatives.”

Aurora is a leading private equity firm focused principally on control investments in middle-market companies with leading market positions, stable industry dynamics, attractive business model characteristics, and actionable opportunities for growth in partnership with management. Aurora provides unique resources to its portfolio companies through its Strategy & Operations Program and its team of experienced operating advisors. Aurora’s investors include leading public and corporate pension funds, endowments, and foundations active in private equity investing.

Tilia is a Chicago-based private investment firm focused exclusively on making control investments in the evolving “farm-to-fork” segment of the global food supply chain. Tilia partners with growing, middle-market companies who provide business services across the food supply chain and support leading, emerging, and private-label CPG brands. The firm’s sector-focused strategy is a successful approach to investments that spans three decades. Tilia’s deep understanding of operations enables a collaborative partnership approach with management and uniquely positions the firm to scale business services companies in the lower middle market. Through a value creation and governance model emphasizing stewardship, Tilia builds distinctive growth companies that enhance safety, nutrition, and sustainability in the food supply chain.

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and assisted in marketing, structuring, and negotiating the transaction on behalf of Universal Pure and Tilia.