Califia Farms

Los Angeles, CA
Investment Amount: $15,000,000
Beverage Company
Investment Date: August, 2017
“The demand for Califia Farms’ great-tasting, premium plant-based beverages has grown significantly year-over-year – not only here in the US, but in several key international markets as well, including the U.K., Canada, and Australia.  In order to meet the growing demand, we needed to build two new production lines, which required a significant investment and has resulted in tripling our output capacity at our Bakersfield plant. We appreciate CapX Partners’ willingness to work with growing companies like ours and their flexible financing options,” said Demir Vangelov, Chief Financial Officer at Califia Farms.

 

Company Background

Los Angeles-based Califia Farms was founded in 2010 by beverage visionary Greg Steltenpohl. It is now one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the U.S. and named one of the most innovative consumer brands of 2016 by Forbes magazine.  Renowned for having the best-tasting, plant-based beverages on the market, Califia has become the number one nutmilk and refrigerated RTD coffee brand in the natural channel by creating innovative, healthy and great-tasting premium beverages that make it easy for consumers to go ‘plant-powered,” without compromise. All Califia Farms products are 100% plant-based, non-GMO, carrageenan-free, gluten-free, vegan and made with no artificial ingredients. With a mission to show the world what plants can do to achieve whole body wellness, Califia’s delicious Almondmilks, coffees, and juices encourage wider adoption of plant-based foods and beverages for the good of the planet. Califia has consistently shaken up every category it operates in.

Investment Opportunity & CapX Solution

Califia Farms contacted CapX as the company looked to expand its state-of-the-art, intelligently designed distribution and bottling plant located in Bakersfield; known as the heart of California’s agricultural center. The facility is designed to maximize resource use and efficiencies while operating 24/7. Rapid growth across product lines and further global expansion pushed the company to diversify their capital sources.  CapX was introduced as an equipment finance specialist that could work with the investors as well as the company’s lenders without disturbing the rest of the capital structure.  CapX provided a true lease structure that facilitated the procurement of new bottling and pasteurization lines to further expand capacity. 

“Califia Farms is a familiar household brand, recognized as a market leader across multiple categories. CapX enjoys working with strong leaders and growing companies, and the addition of these capital assets will help the company keep up with demand and continue their global expansion.” - Richard Bollinger, Managing Director at CapX Partners