Editorial

If you can't fix it, sell it

Boston Globe 12/11/97: 

"Tom and Tom have a recipe for success. We have no intention of fiddling with that formula. We're going to offer them a bigger universe in which to do their thing," said  (Tom) Bullock.

The alliance with Ocean Spray lets Nantucket Nectars "take it to the next level" and still remain private,  (Tom) Scott said.

11/3/01 Nantucket Nectars could have been be a sparkling diamond, a small but valuable addition to Ocean Spray shareholder's portfolio, during these difficult times for the cranberry industry. Instead, the subsidiary languished, while a similar company, Odwalla, under smart and confident management, grew and made itself into a lucrative takeover target. It is about to make its shareholders a tidy profit as it becomes a part of CocaCola. 

The growers of Ocean Spray should be so fortunate. 

The "Two Toms" expressed effusive optimism when the homegrown company they nurtured into a business phenomenon was purchased by Ocean Spray. They believed that the wise elders of Ocean Spray would take upstart Nectars to the next level and beyond. 

Instead, Nantucket Nectars has languished under the tutelage of Ocean Spray's mentors, while Coke and Pepsi and other beverage giants strategize about how to compete for the all-important super cool, super healthy, juice market. 

Ocean Spray denies it is strapped for cash. They deny that its bank is pressuring it to make substantial payments on its loan. Therefore, if and when Ocean Spray sells Nantucket Nectars, Stressline eagerly awaits the explanation as to why a juice company which touts itself as "world class" would sell a subsidiary with such growth potential as Nantucket Nectars. 

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