PLANO, Texas, Aug. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Pepper
Snapple Group, Inc., (NYSE: DPS) has reached an agreement to make
an equity investment in BA Sports Nutrition, LLC, owner of
BODYARMOR SuperDrink, a line of premium sports drinks. The
$20 million investment gives DPS an
11.7 percent ownership position in BA Sports Nutrition.
DPS has carried BODYARMOR as an allied brand in much of its
direct store delivery network since 2013 and plans to expand the
product line further in its system over the next year.
"We've been pleased with BODYARMOR's growth over the past two
years and believe it has strong potential as a premium sports
drink," said Rodger Collins, DPS
president of packaged beverages. "It's already a great part of our
allied brand portfolio, it has a management team with the
experience and passion to succeed, and we're looking forward to
contributing to that growth and success over the long term."
BODYARMOR SuperDrink was launched in 2012 by Mike Repole and Lance
Collins. In 2013, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant became a significant investor in the
company. BODYARMOR is made with potassium-packed electrolytes,
coconut water and vitamins and is sweetened with pure cane
sugar. It contains no artificial colors and no artificial flavors
and is available in seven great-tasting flavors.
"We are very excited about the investment by Dr Pepper Snapple
Group," said Repole, co-founder and chairman, BODYARMOR. "Through
our partnership with DPS, we are continuing to gain distribution
throughout the United States, and
we are on our way to becoming a national brand. BODYARMOR has
tremendous momentum, and the strength of the DPS organization and
its system will continue to fuel our amazing growth for years to
come."
This partnership marks the second time DPS and Mike Repole have teamed up to grow an emerging
beverage brand. Prior to launching BODYARMOR, Repole was a
co-founder of vitaminwater, which experienced substantial growth in
DPS's legacy bottling and distribution system from 2000 to
2007.
BODYARMOR is one of numerous brands DPS carries in its portfolio
of third party allied brands, which also includes Big Red,
FIJI Water, Vita Coco, Bai Brands, Neuro beverages, SunnyD
and HYDRIVE energy drinks, among others.
The terms of the BODYARMOR transaction will not have a material
impact on DPS's financial statements.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
(NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in
North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than
50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We
have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading
brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition
to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio
includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch,
Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt
and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and
Plano, Texas-based company, please
visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates,
follow us at www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or
www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.
About BODYARMOR
BODYARMOR SuperDrink®
is a premium sports drink that provides superior hydration. It
contains no artificial colors or flavors and is made with
potassium-packed electrolytes and vitamins and made with coconut
water. Created by co-founders Mike
Repole and Lance Collins,
BODYARMOR is available in seven great-tasting flavors and is the
drink of choice for athletes, having assembled an impressive team
of young, superstar athletes such as Andrew
Luck, Mike Trout,
James Harden, Richard Sherman, Buster
Posey, Rob Gronkowski,
Kevin Love and Skylar Diggins. In 2013, Kobe Bryant became a significant shareholder in
the company. For more information please visit
www.drinkbodyarmor.com and follow us at @drinkbodyarmor.com or
www.facebook.com/drinkbodyarmor
Contacts:
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Media
Relations
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Chris Barnes, Dr
Pepper Snapple
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(972)
673-5539
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chris.barnes@dpsg.com
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Lindsey Raivich,
BODYARMOR
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(917)
757-7810
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Lraivich@drinkbodyarmor.com
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Investor
Relations
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Heather Catelotti,
(972) 673-5869
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SOURCE Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.