Private equity firm Aurora Capital Partners has acquired Universal Pure Holdings, a provider of high-pressure processing (HPP) and related food safety and technical services, for an undisclosed price.

Universal Pure is an HPP partner of food and beverage manufacturers in North America, and also offers a range of other services, including cold storage, bottling, kitting and assembly, dry aging, tempering and inventory management.  

HPP is a technology that uses water and pressure to inactivate food-borne pathogens without the use of chemicals or other additives, while extending product shelf life. Universal Pure operates eight facilities in the US across major shipping lanes and distribution centres.

Partner at Aurora, Randy Moser, said: “Universal Pure has an exceptional track record of growth built around a culture of customer service. Best-in-class service and a long-tenured track record combined with the largest footprint in North America uniquely position Universal Pure in a rapidly growing industry.”

Moser added: “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 programme”.

Universal Pure CEO, Jeff Williams, remarked: “Aurora has a well-deserved reputation of partnering with management teams to help accelerate growth. 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.”

Mark Rosenbaum, also a partner at Aurora, commented: “Jeff and his team have built an impressive platform, and we are excited to capitalise 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.”