About six months ago, organic juice brand Uncle Matt’s Organic took the “next logical step” in its growth trajectory by moving into a 75,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The brand expects to handle 100% of its chilled juice production by the end of Q1. The decision to take that leap – complemented by the construction of a new refrigerated storage warehouse – was about a year in the making but founder and CEO Matt McLean told BevNET in an email that his “entire career has been a journey towards this moment.” “While envisioning this step is common among entrepreneurs [with] the right timing, the necessary volume and financial strength being crucial,” he said. “This became attainable after buying the company back in 2020.” After being sold to Dean Foods in 2017, McLean reacquired his former company in 2020 and claims to have doubled the size of the business since then, building enough capital to finance the project. Like many CPG food and beverage brands that weathered supply chain disruptions and co-packer delays during COVID, the “importance of controlling its destiny” became a sticking point for Uncle Matt’s. Using its own equipment, Uncle Matt’s operates independently within a facility owned by bottled water co-packer Eventide Water, located close to the company’s citrus growing partners. Using the bottled water manufacturer’s water for some products, Uncle Matt’s has capability to grow production and the right to purchase the entire facility in the future. Due to greening disease in Florida, the company is sourcing citrus fruit primarily from Texas, California and Mexico, McLean told BevNET. “Bottling in Texas helps reduce our inbound and outbound freight costs while also improving our finished juice quality.” According to omnichannel data tracked by Circana, Uncle Matt’s is the only refrigerated orange juice brand to show double digit sales growth (+15.3%) with $26.3 million in sales in the category in the last 52-week period ending December 31. Along with reducing costs and streamlining operations, a heightened level of control has allowed Uncle Matt’s to accelerate innovation. The brand launched a line of 2-oz. Ultimate Athlete Juice Shots in January as well as taking a step into the kids’ drink category recently. The company is leaving the door open for potential private label accounts in the future, though presently, it is focused on the level of quality control it can maintain as a result of controlling its production. “For example, something as simple as having labels placed accurately on bottles is not always a priority for co-packers, but it makes a big difference for maintaining a premium look on shelf,” McLean said. “This is the next level for customer satisfaction and retention.” | 
