Screenshot via lotusbevalliance.com
Six United States craft beverage equipment manufacturing companies merged through a $100 million deal last month to form a new company called Lotus Beverage Alliance.
The merged companies include: industrial brewing and canning provider Alpha Brewing Operations (Lincoln, Nebraska); brewing, wine-making and canning equipment provider GW Kent (Ypsilanti, Michigan); canning systems provider Twin Monkeys (Denver); commercial and home brewing equipment provider Stout Tanks and Kettles (Portland, Oregon); brewing and distilling equipment provider Brewmation (Hopewell Junction, New York); and extraction equipment and solutions provider Automated Extractions (Hopewell Junction, New York).
John Ansbro, a longtime executive of the North American branch of German food and pharmaceutical giant GEA Group, has been appointed CEO of the combined company. Lotus Beverage Alliance made its public debut at the recent Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Oregon, and the company has numerous other trade show stops planned throughout the beer, beverage and industrial equipment industries.
Lotus Beverage Alliance at the recent Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Oregon. Daily Coffee News photo.
The group is catering to production and equipment needs for producers of cold-brewed coffee, craft beer, wine, hard cider, spirits, ready-to-drink cocktails, kombucha, CBD/THC-infused drinks, and sake.
With the launch, Lotus Beverage Alliance has also introduced a proprietary financing program designed to remove cost barriers for startups and smaller craft beverage producers.
The six-way merger was facilitated by New York-based Ronin Equity Partners, which is also an investor in the combined company. The exact financial terms of the deal were not made public, although the founders of each of the six of the merged businesses are all among the Lotus ownership group.
The new company also incorporates an employee ownership program for all employees, facilitated by the firm Ownership Works.
“Lotus has everything craft beverage creators need to produce the amazing artisanal products they love, for people who love them,” Ansbro said in an announcement from the group at last month’s launch. “Our team’s proven industry experience includes a deep bench of experts helping to optimize the production of handcrafted beverages for consumers to enjoy.”
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