Highlander Partners, L.P., a middle-market private equity firm based in Dallas, TX announced the acquisition of Hilo Nutrition Inc., maker of pre-workout and recovery gummies.
Headquartered in Columbus, OH, Hilo, Co-founded by Andrew Sauer and Eric Torgeson, who will both remain in their leadership positions, will work report to Highlander’s ownership.
Highlander’s portfolio includes worldwide food, beverage, health and wellness brands. Highlander plans to accelerate the growth of Hilo by targeting a larger, more focused consumer, continued innovation of its product offerings, strengthening its direct-to-consumer business, and expanding distribution.
Andrew Sauer, president of Hilo, noted, “We are thrilled to join the Highlander family of businesses. Their strong operating experience in retail, digital and manufacturing is unparalleled and will undoubtedly accelerate Hilo to the next level. Our ability to invest in all areas of growth will now be super-charged by our combination of talents.”
Jeff L. Hull, president and CEO of Highlander Partners, commented, “We are very excited to partner with Eric and Andy to drive the Hilo brand. We believe the company has significant growth opportunities which will be amplified by increased consumer awareness, product innovation and expanded distribution. This acquisition underscores Highlander’s desire to invest in high quality branded companies. In particular, Highlander has a significant track record in the health and wellness industry which we are confident can be applied to Hilo. We will continue to pursue emerging consumer-facing businesses with strong growth potential, outstanding products and excellent brand equity.”
Photo courtesy Hilo Nutrition
