Fastest Turning Lemonade Brand Acquires Rapidly Growing Watermelon Water Brand
MILWAUKEE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KJ Holding Corp, the owner of Calypso Lemonades, announced today the acquisition of Mela Water (“Mela”). The transaction brings together two complementary, high-performing brands, disrupting their respective categories and will allow both brands to leverage the robust business platform behind Calypso. Mela is the leading provider of premium watermelon waters and participates in the rapidly growing plant-based functional hydration category while Calypso has ascended to the top of the lemonade category with its innovative line of flavored lemonades and continues to take market share through category-leading velocity.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mela to the beverage platform we have built behind Calypso. Mela is a great brand with strong consumer appeal that is delivering outstanding growth,” said David Klavsons, CEO of Calypso. “Mela’s exceptional taste, unique flavors, tropical vibe, and functional hydration make it a strong complement to our Calypso brand. We believe our national and international DSD network coupled with our commercial and supply chain capabilities will significantly accelerate Mela’s growth.”
Mela’s premium portfolio of watermelon waters contains electrolytes and antioxidants with a focus on delivering amazing taste. The line-up including Original, Passionfruit, Pineapple, and Ginger along with Mela’s “tropical escape” brand positioning is resonating with consumers and differentiating the brand within the plant-based functional hydration category. Mela brings an incremental consumer to the Calypso platform while also appealing to the already broad consumer base behind Calypso.
“We are excited to join the Calypso platform as we enter the next phase of our growth,” said Dom Purpura, CEO of Mela Water. “Our team has done a fantastic job building the brand over the last several years gaining significant distribution with leading retailers while sustaining strong unit velocities. It’s now the perfect time to join the Calypso platform and leverage their infrastructure to scale the brand nationally and internationally.”
ABOUT CALYPSO
Calypso is the authentic flavored lemonade. The original, and now famous, Calypso Lemonade recipe was created in 1985. Calypso now offers more than a dozen Lemonade, Limeade, and Zero Sugar combinations – all based on the Original Lemonade recipe. The amazing taste and refreshing profile of Calypso resonates with consumers, resulting in rapid growth and category leading sales velocity. Calypso products are made with a focus on taste and quality, using natural flavors and served in premium custom glass bottles. Calypso is distributed domestically as well as internationally in over 20 countries. To learn more about Calypso’s full portfolio, please visit drinkcalypso.com, or follow Calypso on Instagram (@DrinkCalypso), Facebook (@CalypsoLemonades), Twitter (@DrinkCalypso) and TikTok (@CalypsoLemonades).
ABOUT MELA WATER
Mela is a premium line of watermelon waters known for their great taste and flavor profile while delivering electrolytes and antioxidants. Mela’s flavor lineup includes Original, Passionfruit, Pineapple, and Ginger. Mela can be purchased online at melawater.com, on Amazon, and in retail locations including 7-Eleven, Target, Wegmans, Fresh Thyme Market, and many more. For more information about Mela and to find a store near you, please visit melawater.com or follow Mela on Instagram (@mela) and TikTok (@mela).
Contacts
Matt Andersen
KJ Holding Corp
[email protected]
