Universal Pure, the largest independent provider of High Pressure Processing (HPP) and cold-chain services in North America, continues to strengthen its growth strategy and its commitment to food safety. The company has announced an important expansion of its operational capacity with the acquisition of a new Hiperbaric 525i system—one of the highest-throughput, most efficient, and most reliable HPP machines on the market.
To learn more about this strategic investment, Frank Jimenez, CEO of Universal Pure, shared insights on the company’s growth, the role of HPP in its mission, and the significance of its longstanding partnership with Hiperbaric.
Over Two Decades Leading the HPP Industry in the U.S.
Founded in 2001 as one of the first U.S. companies dedicated exclusively to High Pressure Processing, Universal Pure has evolved from a single-service facility into the nation’s largest network of HPP and cold-chain centers, with seven plants strategically located across the country.
Over the years, the company has broadened its service portfolio to include HPP, cold storage, beverage co-packing, tempering, inventory management, date coding and labeling, secondary packaging, and more. All of this supports its clear mission: to help create a safer, higher-quality food system.
“HPP is central to delivering food safety and shelf-life extension without heat or preservatives. It allows us to protect freshness, flavor, and nutrition, while strengthening consumer trust in the brands we serve,” explains Jimenez.
A growing market: new demands and booming categories
The decision to add another Hiperbaric 525 system reflects strong, sustained growth in key product categories such as:
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Fresh pet food
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Premium proteins
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Dips and spreads
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Beverages
These categories rely heavily on HPP to meet both safety and distribution requirements without compromising quality.
With this new integration, Universal Pure enhances its ability to provide greater redundancy, shorter lead times, and increased flexibility across its coast-to-coast network. The addition brings the company’s total HPP machine count to 23 systems, reinforcing its position as the only national HPP service provider with fully integrated cold-chain capabilities.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Innovation
niversal Pure’s relationship with Hiperbaric has been strategic and long-standing. “Hiperbaric has been a trusted partner for many years,” says Jimenez. “Their commitment to innovation, operational reliability, and service excellence aligns perfectly with our values.”
Through continuous collaboration, both companies have worked together to optimize machine performance, maximize uptime, and adapt to the fast-evolving needs of the food and beverage market. Hiperbaric’s technical support, responsiveness, and focus on continuous improvement have been key to maintaining operational excellence across Universal Pure’s expanding footprint.
The Hiperbaric 525i stood out for its high throughput, proven reliability, efficient design, ease of integration, and lifecycle performance, making it the ideal system to support Universal Pure’s ongoing growth.
Malvern, PA: A Strategic Hub on the Rise
The new unit will be installed at Universal Pure’s facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania, bringing the site to a total of four Hiperbaric 525i systems.
This location was selected due to:
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Its strong regional customer base
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Its logistical advantages
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Increasing demand from food producers across the Northeast
In addition to HPP services, the Malvern facility offers cold storage, packaging and secondary packaging, labeling, kitting, distribution, and other value-added services, making it a comprehensive hub for food and beverage brands seeking integrated solutions.
Looking Ahead: Two Major Milestones in 2026
In 2026, Universal Pure will celebrate two significant anniversaries:
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25 years since its founding
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15 years as an HPP industry leader
These milestones reflect the company’s continued focus on innovation, reliability, and its mission to help create a safer, higher-quality food system for millions of consumers across North America. For more information about Universal Pure and its HPP tolling services, visit: www.universalpure.com
