CURASCIENTIFIC NEGOTIATING $150M CONTRACT TO PRODUCE KAVA EXTRACT IN PALM DESERT LAB
June 23, 2023
Apple Rush’s Sparkling Juice and Innovative Beverages Offer Exciting Possibilities
Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTC: APRU) is a pioneering beverage producer and distributor, with over 49 years of experience as a leader in the natural/organic drink space. Their flagship product, Apple Rush Sparkling Juice, offers health minded consumers a 100% natural alternative to sodas, while their more recent creations (under the Element brand umbrella) have us excited about the future of infused beverages. The juice and juice drinks category is huge at $19.2 billion, and Apple Rush is positioned to grow their market share as they expand into new markets and stores.
A Growing Market – The global fruit and vegetable juice market is expected to reach $257 billion by 2025 (Grandview Research), thanks to continued health trends and a global reduction in soda consumption. Meanwhile the infused drinks market has grown from $7 million in 2017 to $318 million in 2021 (Brightfield Group). Apple Rush is positioned to capitalize on the growth of both of these markets as a quality producer/distributor of high-end beverages. APRU is going to be the disruptor in the functional beverage category with its unique offerings.
An Established Brand – Apple Rush has been a leader in the fruit juice beverage industry for 49 years. Their 100% natural sparkling juices helped set the standard for carbonated juice drinks, and they continue to produce the highest quality liquid around. In 2020 they debuted their new look, which featured a bold can design and easily identifiable color schemes. Apple Rush is partnered with Southern Eagle (SED) for distribution, their own on-line stores, and is available across the US and will be back on Amazon.
Innovative Products – Apple Rush has always been ahead of the curve. Their flagship sparkling apple juice was an innovative soda alternative when it was launched in 1972. It was the first 100% all natural sparkling apple juice on the market, and that spirit of innovation persists today.
Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTC: APRU) and all its wholly owned subsidiaries are making waves in the beverage industry. Their new Element brand recently hit the huge milestone of 100 retail locations at 1 case a week, and LVVV (LiveWire Ergogenics) canceled 15 billion shares of APRU which eliminated their controlling interest and increased shareholder value significantly. The company unveiled their sparkling juice’s new look in 2020, and are aggressively expanding their distribution.
Apple Rush is undervalued for now, but based on the success of the Element brand and the continued growth of the fruit beverage market, we don’t think that will last.
Apple Rush was founded in 1972, and was the first 100% all natural sparkling apple juice on the market. In the early days of the company their sparkling juice was the only real alternative to sodas, and the widespread success of Apple Rush was based on their high-quality, no preservatives or sugar added, 100% natural product.
The company went public in 2007, raising money to expand their operations and then acquiring Garden Beverage. They ended up in Whole Foods in Chicago, but bottling and manufacturing difficulties put Apple Rush at a standstill. Finding it difficult to raise capital, they were able to sell a controlling interest to LVVV (which was later eliminated) while they underwent a rebranding of sorts; refining the packaging of their product for greater appeal.
In 2017, Apple Rush was able to land the support of SED (Southern Eagle Distribution), who would go on to help secure relationships with Joel Champagne (Champagne Distribution) and Gentry Pelham (North Florida Sales). The partnerships forged during this time have set the stage for an aggressive expansion of all of APRU’s brands, as they build a powerhouse lineup worthy of international distribution.
Apple Rush’s flagship product is their premium sparkling apple juice, which comes in four flavor varieties. 49 years ago, it was the first 100% all natural sparkling apple juice, and it is still the industry standard today.
The global fruit and vegetable juices market is expected to reach $257 billion by 2025, and the current domestic market is valued at $19.2 billion (and growing). People want an alternative to carbonated sodas, and sparkling juice represents a full-flavored substitute that satisfies health conscious consumers.
Apple Rush recently launched a new look, and is in the process of testing new markets for their juice. Vis-a-vis the partnership with SED, Apple Rush is well positioned to capitalize on the trend toward healthier diet choices as they test popular convenience stores and expand their Whole Foods footprint.
We are excited about the possibilities of Apple Rush’s most recent addition to the brand portfolio: Element Brands. The Element brand offers sparkling beverages that boast no added sugars, no chalky taste, and all the benefits of their respective infusions.
The infused drinks market grew from $7 million in 2017 to $318 million in 2021, and it’s that kind of explosive growth that makes this particular play so interesting. One of Apple Rush’s infused sparkling beverages has hit the milestone of 100 retail locations, going through one case a week. The drink (called Element-C) also boasts 35% less sugar than a popular competitor. With proper handling, the number of locations and cases is expected to continue growing.
In a recent press release, Tony Torgerud, CEO of Apple Rush Company, Inc., said, “As we continue our product, customer, and regional diversification and expansion plans, we are now confident that the great taste and very hot market for our sparkling drinks, and natural fruit sparkling Element C, is a ‘force à reconnaître’. I am so pleased to be able to report to our investors and to our early Element C customers that you are being proven correct. We are on our way. These new retail outlets and their repeat sales now being generated will lift our, ‘better-consumer’ brands to the next level.”
APRU also produces another beverage, with a host of health benefits. It infuses the delicious drink with an herb that has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia to help treat various ailments, and has begun to gain popularity in America. Along with their other infused drink, Apple Rush is pioneering the functional beverage landscape, offering consumers delicious products that deliver more than just satisfying taste.
In support of its Element line of infused beverages, Apple Rush has been pursuing a strategy of strategic acquisitions in the recreational plant space, with the goal of controlling the product from “seed to sale.”
Recent acquisitions include Illinois based Pursuit Farms, Wild Organic Ancient Horticulture in Spring Hill, Florida, an organic farming operation, and an 80% interest in Michigan based ACS Enterprises, LLC and Earth Lube LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of ACS Enterprises.
ACS Enterprises is a plant based chemical manufacturing company, and while investors might not immediately see the connection to Apple Rush’s main lines of business, ACS produces a mold inhibitor which could be a real game changer for the industry.
ACS also produces plant-based chemicals for lubricants and chemicals for copper plating/bonding. “Building with acquisition is our intent. American Chemical is proficient with chemical formulations and has operations in Niles, Michigan, for blending and distribution. Currently on the market in commercial and industrial applications, our penetrating lubricant is formulated from plants and competes in the spray lubricant industry currently led by WD-40 with over $500 million in annual sales. We are focused as a company on plant-based products and the lubricant business is expanding worldwide.” said Apple Rush CEO Tony Torgerud.
Apple Rush is an established brand with a long history of producing excellent quality products. Their recent foray into the infused beverage space is just the beginning for this sparkling drink leader, as they continue to expand their reach across more of the U.S. and internationally. The potential upside for APRU is great, as their distribution partners continue to make inroads to new markets. Additionally, the “dream” leadership team APRU has put together is proving more than capable of executing their sales goals and R&D efforts. Based on the growth we’re seeing in the infused beverage sector, the fruit drink market, and the overall consumer trend toward more health conscious buying, we don’t think that Apple Rush is going to be undervalued much longer.
Chief Executive Officer of APRU.
He assumed the role in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing all sales, marketing, supply chain, R&D, and logistics. He is leading APRU in its continuing evolution as a juice beverage company. His desire with the brand is to make life’s everyday moments more enjoyable, all while doing business the right way. The result is shared opportunities for communities, customers, employees and shareowners. Prior to APRU, Tony held multiple roles at LiveWireErgogenics,Inc., Pacesetter Corporation, and G&K Services. Tony holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Programming at Western Technical College.
Chief Marketing Officer at APRU.
He is also the founder and technologist at NOTICE, anagency built from the ground up to push the limits of digital and experiential marketing for global brands including Visa, Anheuser-Busch, Visa, The Obama Foundation, Porsche, and Restoration Hardware. His early work has focused on the emergence of the Internet as a marketing tool which evolved into an award-winning digital agency www.lonelybrand.com – acquired in 2013 by integrated advertising agency HY Connect. After experiencing tremendous growth throughout 2015, HY Connect was acquired by Myelin Communications, a Boston-based holding company funded by Baird Capital. Now he shares his knowledge, drive, and enthusiasm to as APRU’s chief marketer for America’s favorite sparkling juice. Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree from Creighton University and also an MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management.
He is the President and owner of Southern Eagle Distributing Inc. and Managing Partner of PP &Topp. He is an incredibly successful entrepreneur with an impressive track record of running highly profitable businesses. Philip’s strengths and expertise are in the acquisition, sales & marketing of beverage brands. Some of the brands include the Anheuser-Busch portfolio, Constellation Brands portfolio and 36 other local and national suppliers. Philip’s dedication is to be a great corporate citizen and a leader with his philanthropic endeavors. Philip holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northwood University.
He is a former 14 year veteran/executive at Anheuser-Busch who oversaw the sales strategy for brands like Bon & Viv spiked seltzer, and offerings such as Hiball Energy. He led a team of 55 employees and was responsible for in-store execution and selling of Anheuser-Busch products within all channels (grocery, c-store, drug, military, on-premise, mass) for the total US representing over +$60 million in sales. Prior to his last role, he was the Vice President of Sales for the Walmart channel and also held various positions in Category Management. Randy also spent approximately 4 years at IRI as a Sr. Project Manager conducting extensive research on the beverage industry. He is currently a Director at GoPuff. Randy holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Indiana and an MBA from the University of Arkansas.