Nantucket Nectars to Form Partnership with Ocean Spray

Nantucket Nectars and Ocean Spray plan to form a partnership in which Nantucket will continue to operate as a freestanding company, independently run by co-founders Tom First and Tom Scott. Ocean Spray has agreed to acquire an interest in Nantucket Nectars.

Started in 1989 by college buddies, Tom First and Tom Scott, Nantucket Nectars has grown from a 2,000-bottle operation based on Nantucket Island into a $45 million company selling a variety of unique juice offerings in 30 states and 20 international markets.

First and Scott will maintain a significant ownership interest in Nantucket Nectars. While they expect to benefit from Ocean Spray's purchasing strength and expertise in production, they do not plan to change their approach to distribution and marketing.

Ocean Spray, based in Lakeville, Mass., is the largest producer of canned and bottled juices in North America. The marketing cooperative is owned by 900 cranberry and grapefruit growers in the U.S. and Canada.