Scott LaPorta's Blogspot: February 2020

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Scott LaPorta - A Force behind Newly Acquired Sugarfina USA, LLC

Drawing on an executive leadership background spanning the healthy and functional beverages space, Scott LaPorta has guided companies such as Bolthouse Farms, Neuro Brands, and GT’s Living Foods. Helping to drive Bristol Luxury Group’s recent acquisition of Sugarfina as a co-investor, Scott LaPorta has taken a role with the luxury candy retail chain as chief executive officer.

Known for its innovative and exclusive product line featuring quality ingredients and iconic packaging, Sugarfina, Inc., built up a portfolio of gateway locations across North America and Hong Kong. Also selling through specialty retailers and department store shop-in-shops, Sugarfina is popular for corporate gifting and has developed a robust e-commerce presence.

The purchase of Sugarfina and its affiliates’ assets by Bristol Luxury Group was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in October 2019 and resulted in the creation of a new operating company, Sugarfina USA, LLC.

Mr. LaPorta characterized the deal as enabling Sugarfina’s distribution growth across multiple channels, while continuing to provide consumers with the “sweet luxury experience” they crave.

About Me

A Southern California executive, Scott LaPorta served as part of Bolthouse Farms’ executive leadership from 2009 to 2016. He drove growth in a dynamic company that expanded beyond fresh vegetables to the salad dressing and premium refrigerated beverage segments. With his collaborative and innovative leadership style, he co-led the rapid market share expansion of the CPG businesses. Scott LaPorta and his team achieved a number one share in the fresh carrot and super-premium refrigerated juice markets, with its new ultra-premium cold pressed juice brand achieving 50 percent market distribution and category leading sales volume growth in its first 12-month period.

Mr. LaPorta's executive responsibilities spanned the entire range of corporate functions, including agricultural operations and innovation strategy. In addition to leading Bolthouse Farms’ sales and marketing activities, he managed personnel and oversaw the production and customer service aspects of maintaining a business with approximately $800 million in revenue. He is credited with commercializing Bolthouse Farms operations for Madison Dearborn Partners, the private equity firm that acquired the business from the founding family. These efforts included expanding capacity, capability, and building a team of effective fresh food leaders to achieve sales and profit growth.

In his free time, Mr. LaPorta enjoys traveling to Asian Pacific destinations such as Australia, Hong Kong, and Bora Bora, and he considers Hawaii one of his favorite places to visit. He has also visited the Ukraine and Russia, as well as numerous European destinations. Scott LaPorta holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BS from the University of Virginia.