Unipac Completes Hansen Deal

Unipac Corp. has completed its purchase of the Hansen “original natural” sodas brand from California CoPackers Corp. in Brea in a deal valued at $13.3 million, it was reported Wednesday.

Unipac, an Irvine-based holding company, agreed to pay $10.4 million to discharge certain Hansen liabilities, issue 667,667 common shares of Unipac, grant options to buy up to 1.2 million Unipak shares and pay another $1.7 million in cash and stock to California CoPackers’ current owners if the business meets performance goals .

The Hansen staff of about 15, including President Harold Taber, is expected to remain in place. The staff primarily concentrates on marketing the brand, and production is handled through contractors.

Hansen officials have said they hope that the infusion of new capital will help develop the brand nationally. Despite Unipac’s plans to change its name to the Hansen Corp., there are no plans to move from offices in either Irvine or Brea.