Private investment firm Highlander Partners acquires organic candy company Hillside Candy
Founded in 1945, Hillside is a manufacturer and marketer of premium organic, sugar-free and traditional confection products under the GoOrganic, GoLightly, Pick Your Color and Hillside Sweets brands. Hillside credits its GoOrganic brand as “one of the earliest brands in the organic confection space.”
Products are sold direct and through distributors to grocery and drugstore chains, mass merchandisers, club stores, gourmet retailers, gift companies and other channels domestically and internationally, including: Whole Foods Market, Fresh Market, Natural Grocers, Fairway Market, Wakefern/Shoprite, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, Hannaford's, Sweet Bay, Earth Fare, Lunds & Byerly's, Hy-Vee, Sprouts, Mollie Stone's, New Seasons Market, and other leading stores.
In addition, Hillside's capabilities include incorporating nutraceutical ingredients into confectionery delivery systems, a growing trend in the nutraceutical space.
“The brand responds to the consumers' desire for clean ingredients in confectionery treats,” the company said. It offers hard candies in a variety of flavors, including Ginger, Pomegranate, Cherry, Apple, Honey, Honey Lemon, Blood Orange, Iced Mint Mango, Ginger Xtreme, Starlight Mints and Assorted Fruit.
“Hillside adheres to strict quality guidelines, and its production facility is SQF Level 3 certified, allowing it to serve even most demanding customers,” the company said in a press release.
“All of the Company's products are manufactured in the United States with a focus on no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. The Company holds organic, kosher and non-GMO certifications.”
In connection with Highlander's acquisition of Hillside, Alex Guiva, Chairman of Hillside and Partner at Highlander, stated, "GoOrganic and GoLightly are exceptional brands that deliver high-quality, clean label and mouth-watering products. It is no secret that retailers dedicate more and more shelf space to organic and sugar-free products and these trends are here to stay. We are excited to partner with a leading organic and sugar-free company in the confection space, and we will continue Hillside's business strategy of innovation, creativity, flexibility and customer service. In addition to growing its existing base of business, Hillside will serve as a platform for future strategic acquisitions that will expand our offerings, sales channels and scale."
Ted Cohen, a candy industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, will continue serving as President of Hillside, Cohen commented, "I am excited to partner with the Highlander team to continue the growth of the Hillside business. Highlander and its principals have a long history of success in the confection and food industries, and I am looking forward to expanding our company with a partner that brings such deep and relevant experience together with financial resources to our business."
