FINLAYS ACQUIRES LEAHY-IFP TO DRIVE LONG-TERM GROWTH IN NATURAL BEVERAGES THROUGH BOLD INNOVATION, MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AND EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Finlays, a leading global B2B beverage solutions provider, is delighted to announce it has completed the purchase of Leahy-IFP, a major aseptic packer and formulator of natural fruit-based beverages headquartered in Glenview, Illinois.
Finlays will integrate Leahy-IFP and its global extract business – Finlays Solutions – creating a powerful natural beverages platform from which to serve brand owners, retailers and foodservice operators across North America and worldwide. The acquisition doubles Finlays Solutions’ footprint in North America and significantly expands its capability in the food service channel.
A natural fit
Finlays Solutions and Leahy-IFP are a natural fit for several reasons. Leahy-IFP’s leading position in foodservice pairs perfectly with Finlays Solutions’ strength with beverage brand owners and retail, creating a powerful, unified proposition across all channels. Combining Finlays Solutions’ expertise in tea, coffee and botanical solutions, with Leahy-IFP’s specialization in fruit-based beverage products (including innovative, high-growth Refreshers), creates a diverse and dynamic natural beverages portfolio.
The integration will also provide enhanced capability across the value chain, from sourcing, to product development, to manufacturing capability, and packaging formats. Finally, the two businesses are well aligned culturally, as both are family owned, and have strong and complementary values, ensuring a values-driven approach to growth.
A long-term vision
Integrating Finlays Solutions and Leahy-IFP creates an extensive global network centered on North America, with seven sites in the US — across Rhode Island, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Nevada — as well as operations in the UK and Kenya. Through this network, and the combined expertise of the two respective teams, Finlays Solutions and Leahy-IFP’s shared long-term vision is to drive long-term, sustainable growth in natural beverages for the world’s biggest and best loved brands, retailers and foodservice operators.
A swift integration
It will be “business as usual” for both Finlays Solutions and Leahy-IFP for the remainder of the year with each business continuing to be run by its respective leadership teams. Concurrently, Finlays is now moving to integrate Finlays Solutions and Leahy-IFP into one business and is aiming to complete this in January 2026. The integrated business will be Chaired by James Woodrow, Group Managing Director of Finlays, with Mike Leahy, of Leahy-IFP, as Deputy-Chair, and Darnell Ross as Chief Executive Officer.
James Woodrow, Group Managing Director of Finlays says: “We are delighted to welcome Leahy-IFP and its wonderful team to the Finlays family. Leahy-IFP is a business with incredible legacy stretching back 65 years. Both of our businesses are family owned, with strong and complementary values making us a natural fit. This is a transformational moment for Leahy-IFP and Finlays Solutions as we seek to deliver on our Purpose of empowering our customers to create a world where every sip brings joy. I am incredibly excited about what we will achieve together.”
Mike Leahy, Executive chairman of Leahy-IFP says: “Finlays is one of the biggest and most trusted names in natural beverages and we couldn’t ask for a better business to join forces with. We’re proud of what we’ve built over the last 65 years, but together, we can go even further, creating new opportunities for our people, our customers, and our partners. In short, we are excited to join forces with Finlays Solutions and look forward to being part of a shared future defined by ambition, collaboration, and growth.”
Timothy Leahy Sr., Chairman of the Leahy board says: “This strategic decision marks a significant milestone in our 65-year journey and reflects our commitment to our team, customers, and the food service community. Our focus on driving growth, innovation, and strategic solutions only becomes stronger through this acquisition. At the core of Leahy is its values and a thriving culture and we see the same within Finlays. I am extremely encouraged with the merging of the two organizations and what the future entails.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
Media contact for this announcement: Thom.Walton@Finlays.net
About Finlays Solutions
Finlays Solutions is a global leader in beverage innovation, specializing in high-quality tea, coffee and botanical solutions. Headquartered in the U.S., Finlays Solutions has operations across Rhode Island, Texas, the U.K., and Kenya. With generations of expertise through its parent company Finlays, Finlays Solutions blends tradition with cutting-edge technology to craft exceptional, sustainable and innovative beverages. Its customer-centric approach and deep industry knowledge make Finlays Solutions a trusted partner, providing expert guidance and comprehensive support throughout the development journey. Whether through advanced technology, market insights or bold ideas, Finlays Solutions is committed to shaping the future of beverages.
About Leahy-IFP
Leahy-IFP is a major aseptic packer and formulator of natural fruit-based beverages, offering exceptional expertise in skill and scale, guiding global brands through turn-key product formulation and commercialization. Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Glenview, IL, Leahy-IFP has two manufacturing facilities – in Illinois and Nevada – today, Leahy-IFP’s state-of-the-art and flexible aseptic manufacturing is recognized globally, making it a trusted partner to some of the world’s largest brand owners and foodservice operators delivering products that are enjoyed every day by millions of consumers.
About Finlays
Finlays is a global B2B supplier of tea, coffee and botanical ingredients and solutions to many of the world’s best-loved beverage brands, retailers and foodservice operators. It exists to empower our customers to create a world where every sip brings joy, something it is uniquely placed to achieve thanks to its global scale, trusted partnerships, and over 200 years of experience in beverages. With a heritage stretching back to 1750, today Finlays operates across five continents and places sustainability at the heart of all it does, supporting the long-term prosperity of our industry and all those connected to it.