Source: LOHAS Weekly Newsletter
Published: Sunday, October 01, 2000

SANTA FE, NM—In a deal that further consolidates the natural beverage category, Hansen’s Natural (HANS) on Sept. 20 announced its acquisition of privately held organic soda maker Blue Sky Natural Beverages, based here.

Although the company declined to disclose the terms of the purchase, Hansen’s said Blue Sky had 1999 net sales of $6.4 million. Comparatively, Hansen’s posted 1999 net sales of $72.3 million.

According to Hilton Schlosberg, Hansen’s vice chairman, the companies have been in talks for about six months. He says Hansen’s pursued Blue Sky because of its status as the No. 1 organic soda and seltzer brand in the natural products industry. Hansen’s, on the other hand, boasts itself as the top natural soda in the conventional foods markets.

“The purchase offers Hansen’s the opportunity to become the leading natural soda in both the mainstream and health foods markets,” Schlosberg says. “We hope the acquisition will help us progress in the health foods channel.”

Blue Sky founder Robert Black will not

be a part of the new venture, according to Phil Moore, managing partner with the CA-based Monterey Bay Food Group, which represented Blue Sky in the deal. Blue Sky will relocate its manufacturing operations to Hansen’s Corona, CA, facilities.