News

BRANDT Invests in hellowater®; Provides Key Technology for New Beverage Line

New line of beverages to be introduced with NASCAR marketing blitz

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (January 27, 2021) – Demonstrating its entrepreneurial spirit, BRANDT has invested in hellowater, through its BRANDT iHammer subsidiary. The result of BRANDT’s first-in-kind investment and partnership with hellowater will be a new line of consumer beverages based on patented BRANDT technology.

BRANDT’s investment leads the Hello Beverages, LLC Series A capital raise which is set to close in Q1 of 2021. Specific details of the transaction were not disclosed.

This new partnership brings together two category leaders. Born in Chicago, IL, Hello Beverages is a manufacturer of enhanced functional waters. BRANDT, from Springfield, IL, is a global agricultural company dedicated to helping feed the world through agronomic research and product development. Together, the companies will introduce an as yet un-named line of beverages based on a new patented technology supporting immune defense and toxin elimination in CYTO PLUSTM.

“My dad, who started this business, was the quintessential entrepreneur,” explained Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. “And he never hesitated to pursue a good opportunity when he saw it. I think we have a great opportunity with Tom and Rusty at hellowater to create a whole new beverage category from a technology that we’ve been perfecting for years.”

This new line of beverages answers a massive consumer need. Everyone is exposed to toxins through daily life. Though not always immediately harmful, these substances can be found in a variety of places, from cosmetics to soaps to the environment. When toxins build up in your body, it can affect you in ways you may not realize, including making you more susceptible to viruses and disease.

BRANDT iHammer Chief Science Officer, Dr. Arthur Nonomura, has dedicated his life’s work to studying the body’s internal defense system, Cytochrome P450. (Previously, Dr. Nonomura was with the Nobel Laureate Melvin Calvin Laboratory.) Through Dr. Nonomura’s research, he has discovered that the CYTO PLUS technology creates a shield for our defense system while accelerating the elimination of toxins from the body. The CYTO PLUS technology has far reaching benefits in the consumer-packaged goods industry for optimal health.

“We are thrilled to offer functional beverages that will help increase wellness and vitality,” said Tom Bushkie, CEO and Co–founder of Hello Water. “We truly believe CTYO PLUS technology is the future of nutrition and the functional beverage industry, where consumers are looking to food to help them maintain their optimal health.”

This BRANDT-hellowater partnership fits hellowater’s mission to INSPIRE HEALTH through products with true efficacy. The immunity category has gained extensive interest during the pandemic.

“We could have gone the typical route in creating an immunity beverage by adding core vitamins and minerals to help boost health, but we knew we needed to deliver a breakthrough product that had true protection,” said Bushkie. “So when we met BRANDT iHammer and Dr. Nonomura, we knew we had a homerun if we jumped at the opportunity to bring this technology to market.“

An innovator in the functional water space with its line of fiber-infused products, hellowater is well positioned to bring this CYTO PLUS technology to market and will be launching multiple product extensions in 2021. The first product is expected in March.

While marketing strategies are still being formalized, hellowater plans to launch its line of immunity beverages with a marketing blitz through NASCAR, in partnership with JR Motorsports and BRANDT.

“We went into this partnership with hellowater because it’s a good investment and a great application of our technology,” said Brandt. “But we quickly realized that we had the perfect marketing platform to help launch this new beverage line. I am fired up that you’re going to see a hellowater NASCAR Xfinity car on the track this year! Stay tuned.”

ABOUT HELLOWATER

Hello Beverages LLC, born in Chicago, IL., is a manufacturer of enhanced functional waters. The company was co-founded in 2016 by beverage industry veterans and innovators Tom Bushkie and Rusty Jones. hellowater includes three functional varieties, each designed to deliver quality wellness benefits in digestive health, immune defense, and pH balance. hellowater was born with the mission to INSPIRE. HEALTH. It meets the needs of people with active lifestyles who are looking to make good choices that will positively impact their health. For more information about hellowater, visit www.hellowater.com

Media contact: Rusty Jones, media@hellowater.com, 217.361.4756

BRANDT Plant Growth Regulator Featured in the Prestigious Science Journal, Photosynthetica

BRANDT GlucoPro® Molecule is the First of Its Kind in Agriculture

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (December 10, 2020) – BRANDT’s proprietary plant growth regulator, BRANDT GlucoPro, is featured in the December issue of Photosynthetica, a peer-reviewed international journal for scientific research.

In this article, a team of researchers conclude that crops treated with BRANDT GlucoPro® are significantly more productive in real-world fields. This landmark scientific review is part of an international research project that has been spearheading the Green Revolution of the 21 st century to sustainably increase worldwide food productivity. High profile scientists include those from BRANDT, BRANDT iHammer (USA); University of Illinois (USA); Umeå University (Sweden); Nehru University (India); and the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia).

BRANDT GlucoPro is an entirely new PGR concept and the first technology of its kind in the Ag market. The patented chemistry stimulates plant energy, growth and productivity through a mechanism of action that releases tied up sugar inside the plant. The field efficacy of BRANDT GlucoPro has been confirmed in field trials since 2014, showing quality and yield increases ranging up to 37% in specialty crops.

“BRANDT GlucoPro is based on groundbreaking scientific discoveries,” said Brian Haschemeyer, Director of Discovery and Innovation at BRANDT. “The mechanism of action is truly new to agriculture. It is a game changer for the specialty products market and we are excited about the impact this technology can bring to growers.”

BRANDT GlucoPro is based on the rigorous science of Dr. Arthur Nonomura and the late Professor Andrew Benson, as well as the development of stable formulations and transformative field work of BRANDT’s Discovery and Innovation team. Professor Benson is recognized as one of the leading plant scientists of the 20th century. His work included the discovery of the Calvin-Benson Cycle and, with Dr. Nonomura, the Plant Lectin Cycle, which lead to BRANDT GlucoPro.

BRANDT has successfully transferred this technology to farms, the product showing yield advantages on blueberries (26%), melons (15%), tomatoes (26%) and sweet potatoes (37%), in particular.

BRANDT GlucoPro is available through approved distributors in states where the product is registered for sale. To learn more or locate a distributor, download the BRANDT Product Finder App.

BRANDT iHammer GOLFER Ethan Tracy TO COMPETE ON PGA TOUR for 2018 SEASON

Columbus Golfer will Showcase BRANDT iHammer Brand in PGA Events

Springfield, Illinois (19 January 2018) – After a successful partnership in 2017 on the Web.com Tour, golfer Ethan Tracy will represent BRANDT iHammer on the PGA tour in 2018. Tracy is competing in his second event of the 2018 season at the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, CA.

The BRANDT iHammer logo will adorn Tracy’s shirt and his bag for all events in 2018. Tracy is also supported by the iconic golf-industry brands of Titleist and Foot Joy.

“We are excited to continue working with Ethan, as he’s a great spokesman for our brand,” said Mike McBride, President of BRANDT iHammer. “The young man won last year in the Club Colombia Championship while sporting the BRANDT iHammer brand, so we are expecting big things from him this year.”

Tracy earned his PGA Tour card after a break-out 2017 Web.com Tour season that included a dramatic playoff victory at the Club Colombia Championship and an impressive T8 finish at the season ending Web.com Tour Championship. Due to the PGA Tour's wrap around schedule, his rookie campaign began in the fall of 2017 with five tournaments before the holiday break.

“I’m thrilled to continue to work with BRANDT iHammer,” said Tracy. “They are an innovative company that represents the best technology in turf and agriculture inputs. I’m looking forward to literally taking our partnership to the next level as we make the leap from the Web.com tour to the PGA tour.”

Tracy has found success amongst some of the best in his sport at all levels. His journey started at Hilliard Darby High School (Ohio) and led to his All-SEC/American career at the University of Arkansas. While playing at Arkansas, Ethan won the prestigious Western Amateur, defeating PGA Tour regulars Derek Ernst, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay. The win not only made him more known, but also placed his name alongside golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson as a Western Amateur winner. The highlight of Tracy’s 2017 campaign was his win at the Club Colombia Championship in Bogota, Columbia.

BRANDT iHammer Golfer Ethan Tracy Earns First Web.com Victory

Tracy rewards BRANDT iHammer after sponsorship extended through 2017 season

Springfield, Illinois (February 12, 2017) – BRANDT iHammer has extended its sponsorship of golfer Ethan Tracy for the 2017 season. And the young golfer has immediately started paying dividends by winning the third Web.com event of the season in dramatic fashion.

Trailing the leader by two strokes on the 18th tee of the penultimate round in the Club Colombia Championship by Servientrega, Tracy holed out from 101 yards for eagle to enter a playoff with Roberto Diaz at 13-under-par.

Of his 101 yard hole-in, Tracy was his usual modest self. “I tried to land it about five yards short, which it looked like it did, but I didn’t really know where it was,” said Tracy. “It was right in line with the pin the whole way. It took a couple hops, checked up, and trickled in.”

It only took Tracy two playoff holes to claim his inaugural Web.com victory.

BRANDT iHammer will be with Tracy throughout the 2017 season. The BRANDT iHammer logo will adorn Tracy’s shirt and his bag for all 2017 tournaments, including the Lincoln Land Charity Championship in Springfield, IL.

“I knew Ethan had the skill, fortitude and drive to win on the Web.com tour but I didn’t expect it so quickly,” said Mike McBride, President of BRANDT iHammer. “The young man is a talented golfer and a great ambassador for our brand. I’m just so proud of him for this victory. We are looking forward to our mutual continued success.”

BRANDT iHammer Extends Sponsorship of Golfer Ethan Tracy for 2016 Season

Columbus Golfer will sport BRANDT iHammer logo starting with US Open Championship

Springfield, Illinois (June 13, 2016) – After a successful partnership at the Memorial Tournament, BRANDT iHammer has extended its sponsorship of golfer Ethan Tracy for the remainder of the 2016 season, starting with the US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club June 13-19.

The BRANDT iHammer logo will adorn Tracy’s shirt and his bag for all tournaments for the remainder of the year.

“We are excited to continue working with Ethan,” said Mike McBride, President of BRANDT iHammer. “The young man is fearless and we know he’ll represent the BRANDT iHammer brand with the utmost professionalism. We’ll be heading to Oakmont to cheer him on as he takes on the best field of golfers in the world.”

Tracy has found success amongst some of the best in his sport. His journey started at Hilliard Darby High School (Ohio) and led to his All-SEC/American career at the University of Arkansas. While playing at Arkansas, Ethan won the prestigious Western Amateur, defeating PGA Tour regulars Derek Ernst, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay. The win not only made him more known, but also placed his name alongside golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson as a Western Amateur winner. Tracy currently competes across the US and Canada on a variety of tours.

“I’m thrilled to partner up with BRANDT iHammer,” said Tracy. “They are a leading, innovative company that represents the best technology in turf and agriculture inputs. I’m going to work hard to get their name out to the thousands of fans who come out to support professional golf.”

BRANDT iHammer Sponsors Golfer Ethan Tracy for One-Tournament Deal

Dreams of Playing in Memorial Tournament Come True for Columbus Golfer

Springfield, Illinois (June 2, 2016) – BRANDT iHammer has teamed up with Columbus native Ethan Tracy for the Memorial Tournament.

“iHammer is thrilled to have Ethan as part of its winning team” said Mike McBride, President of BRANDT iHammer. “Ethan is a great competitor on the golf course and his humbling background makes it very clear where his drive comes from. As a Columbus company, we’re proud to support such a talented local young man.”

Tracy has found success amongst some of the best in his sport. His journey started at Hilliard High school (Ohio) and led to his All-SEC/American career at the University of Arkansas. While playing at Arkansas, Ethan won the prestigious Western Amateur, defeating PGA Tour regulars Derek Ernst, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay. The win not only made him more known, but also placed his name alongside golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson as a Western Amateur winner.

“Like iHammer, Ethan is always trying to improve his game,” said McBride. “We are developing cutting-edge products for golf turf, agricultural crops and ornamental markets. This sponsorship will help get our name out into the market.”

BRANDT Forms JV With Innovation Company

Joint venture with iHammer to provide access to world-class technology portfolio

Springfield, Illinois (February 28, 2014) – BRANDT, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, announced today that it has formed a joint venture with Innovation Hammer, LLC, a company dedicated to improving plant health and yields through field-tested breakthroughs in technologies and science.

"iHammer has truly ground-breaking technologies for the ag, turf and ornamental markets," said Rick Brandt, CEO & President of BRANDT. "And this partnership will allow us to start collaborating with Mike McBride, Arthur Nonomura and Andrew A. Benson. These guys have literally helped the world understand how to put plants to work for the grower and are some of the most practical scientific minds around. This makes growers the winners with iHammer on the BRANDT Team!"

The joint venture with iHammer fits BRANDT's aggressive corporate strategy of providing superior and new technology products throughout the world. iHammer invented the plant glycoregulator category and brings three established product lines to the venture.

"Our vision is to more fully commercialize iHammer's cutting edge technologies and to extend them into new markets," continued Brandt. "We differentiate ourselves through our technologies and this will enable us to continue to set the bar higher than ever."

iHammer will remain a separate company and the joint venture will work closely with the BRANDT Discovery & Innovation team, part of BRANDT's Specialty Formulations division. Otherwise, terms of the deal were not released.

"I am excited about this opportunity," said Mike McBride. "With our intellectual capital and technology portfolio and BRANDT's access to global markets and established sales team, we have all the ingredients for an industry-changing partnership."