Buckeye Vodka Teams With Ohio State Athletics Department
Buckeye Vodka, the #1 Ohio-made vodka, has secured a sponsorship with The Ohio State University Department of Athletics, beginning August 2024. For the first time, Buckeye Vodka is a Proud Sponsor of Ohio State Athletics, brokered through the departments multi-media rights partner Learfield, the media and technology company powering college athletics.
Just in time for tailgating season, Buckeye Vodka will be making a splash across local and national media outlets, celebrating, and building excitement around this relationship. The product will be available at all events throughout the year at both the Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center.
Buckeye fans can enjoy their favorite Ohio-made vodka at collegiate football and basketball games. A family-owned and operated business, making premium craft vodka that’s distilled 10 times, Buckeye Vodka is hailed by fans throughout the state as the smoothest vodka.
“The relationship with The Ohio State University Athletics just makes sense. The brands align very well. We are thrilled to bring two winning traditions together in this way and share the story of Buckeye Vodka with Buckeye Nation,” said Jim Finke, co-founder of the vodka company. “Ohio State Athletics is an incredible brand with a winning tradition. They are particular about who they take on as sponsors.
“Enjoy Buckeye Vodka at your tailgates, share it at home with your friends and ask for it by name at your favorite establishments not just on game days but any day you’re enjoying a refreshment. As always, we ask that everyone please drink responsibly.”
“We are excited to welcome Buckeye Vodka as a Proud Sponsor of Ohio State Athletics,” said Todd Knisley, vice president & general manager at Ohio State Sports Properties. “Their commitment to quality and passion for supporting local communities aligns perfectly with our mission at The Ohio State University Athletics.”
Buckeye Vodka continues to lead Ohio’s alcohol and vodka industry with a handcrafted production method that is meticulous and distinct. From its inception, it has boasted the true “Spirit of Ohio” – rock-solid determination in the face of adversity. The company tests and compares every batch against the leading national brands and will not stop until it’s the smoothest. This personal attention to detail ensures that each bottle is just as good as the last, offering top shelf vodka without the top shelf price.
The vodka is carefully handcrafted right in Ohio’s Miami Valley. For over a decade, the team has tested and compared each distillation and filtration batch against the leading national brands. Its use of distilled water has contributed to the distillery’s success in producing a clean, smooth and consistent experience every time. This personal attention to detail ensures that every bottle is just as good as the last.
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Southern Glazer’s to Acquire Horizon Beverage Group
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits — the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol— plans to acquire Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors. The deal includes all of Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as their wine, spirits, and beer portfolio, and makes these two states the 46th and 47th markets in Southern Glazer’s U.S. footprint, in addition to Canada and the Caribbean.
Upon completion of the acquisition, the business will operate under the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island names, respectively. The current Horizon leadership teams in both states will continue leading operations in those markets and will work closely with Southern Glazer’s East Region President Scott Oppenheimer. All of Horizon’s family members and leadership team, including Co-Chairmen Bob Epstein and Jim Rubenstein, will also continue in their current roles to help ensure a smooth transition for all employees, suppliers, and customers.
“The Epstein and Rubenstein families have spent four generations building an exceptional business and legacy in New England that we have admired for years,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “Horizon’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence, along with commitments to social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity, create an ideal match for Southern Glazer’s business and culture. We expect all existing and new supplier partners, as well as customers, to benefit from our two companies’ strengths and expertise, and look forward to building on the great foundation already established in the valuable Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.”
Formed in 1933, Horizon has grown to be one of the largest beverage alcohol distributors in New England, with long-standing supplier relationships with some of the world’s top beer, wine and spirits brands. The company currently employs more than 600 people, operates 800,000 square feet of warehouse space and has a fleet of nearly 100 delivery vehicles.
Added Epstein, “We have full confidence in a seamless transition for all of Horizon’s valued team members and partners. I have enjoyed a more than 50-year relationship with the Chaplin family. Southern Glazer’s is the ideal partner with the size, scale and strength to support our employees well into the future, and to maintain our promise of high-quality service for customers and suppliers in New England.”
“Horizon’s trading partners will gain access to Southern Glazer’s world-class commercial, supply chain, digital, and data insights capabilities,” said Rubenstein. “In addition, joining the broader Southern Glazer’s family provides our talented and passionate employees even greater skill development and career growth opportunities. I trust this next step in our journey will be incredibly positive for all parties.”
The deal is expected to close upon regulatory approval.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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Refresco Acquires Plant-Based Drinks Maker Frías
Refresco, a global independent beverage solutions provider for retailers and global, national, and emerging (GNE) brands in Europe, North America and Australia, has entered into an agreement to acquire Frías Nutrición from Alantra Private Equity and the founding family. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
Frías is a leading manufacturer of plant-based drinks with a production facility located in Burgos, Spain and employs around 250 people. Frías produces private label plant-based drinks, including almond, rice, hazelnut, and soy drinks, for key Spanish retailers and beyond.
CEO Refresco, Hans Roelofs, commented: “As part of our proven Buy & Build strategy, we are looking to expand our capabilities in existing and adjacent beverage categories. The acquisition of Frías significantly strengthens our position in the fast-growing plant-based drinks category. It complements our existing footprint in Spain with a production facility solely dedicated to plant-based products.
“In addition, acquiring Frías enables us to further expand our service offering to retailers and branded customers and retailers across Europe, accelerates our product innovation capabilities in the plant-based drinks category, and underscores our ability to capture opportunities in the market.”
Bruno Delgado-Luque, partner ,Alantra Private Equity, added: “Since we acquired Frías in 2019, the company has been on a remarkable growth trajectory, confirming its leadership position in the Iberian Peninsula, and expanding its international business. Together with the Frías family, we launched a major investment plan that resulted in the creation of one of the most modern and efficient plant-based drinks factories in Europe. We are confident that Frías has a bright future ahead and will continue its successful growth with the support of Refresco.”
Transaction highlights
- The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
- Closing of the transaction is expected later this year.
- The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for retailers and global, national and emerging brands with production in Europe, North America and Australia. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans and glass. Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 14,500 employees.
Alantra Private Equity is a pioneer in the Iberian private equity market with more than 30 years of experience and investments of c. €2.0bn. It has a unique and proven track record in the food and beverage, healthcare, and industrial technology sectors throughout different economic cycles. Since 1990, Alantra Private Equity has led investments in more than 120 assets (60 platforms and 65 add-ons) and has completed more than 50 exits.
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