Mann Lake Ltd., a Minnesota-based manufacturer and distributor of beekeeping supplies, has acquired Hive Hugger, the developer of insulation products designed around the condensing hive approach. The transaction brings Hive Hugger’s award-winning hive insulation system into Mann Lake’s broader product portfolio and gives the brand access to a larger manufacturing, marketing, and distribution network. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Expanding Access to Condensing Hive Technology
Hive Hugger was created to help traditional wooden hives better replicate the thermal conditions found in natural tree cavities, where honeybee colonies often live in the wild. Its system combines an R-32 insulated crown top panel with an R-8 hive body wrap, reducing the amount of energy bees must spend regulating the temperature of their colony during both hot and cold weather. According to the companies, the approach can lower honey consumption, support earlier spring brood development, and improve winter survival rates by reducing thermal stress.
A Broader Platform for Hive Hugger
The acquisition is expected to expand Hive Hugger’s reach by shifting production and distribution from the Minneapolis area to Mann Lake’s headquarters in Hackensack, Minnesota. Mann Lake operates distribution and retail locations in Minnesota, Florida, California, and Kentucky, while also working with authorized dealers across North America. The company said its scale should allow Hive Hugger to serve more beekeepers than the smaller business could support independently as demand for the product continues to grow.
Leadership Continuity After the Deal
Hive Hugger co-founder Peggy DeSanto will remain involved with the business as an ambassador for the condensing hive method, focusing on education and awareness rather than day-to-day administration. DeSanto said the company’s growth had begun to outpace its ability to fulfill demand, making Mann Lake’s operational resources an important part of the next phase. Mann Lake CEO Rob Wright said the product gives beekeepers who prefer standard hive bodies a practical way to create a better-insulated environment without switching to plastic or polystyrene hive systems.
Origins of the Hive Hugger System
Hive Hugger was founded by Peggy DeSanto and Henry Cousineau after DeSanto experienced significant winter colony losses and began exploring ways to reduce the thermal stress faced by bees. Drawing on research and ideas from specialists including Etienne Tardif, Derek Mitchell, Tom Seeley, Bill Hesbach, and Randy Oliver, DeSanto developed the concept while Cousineau contributed expertise in insulation materials. The resulting product was designed to preserve the familiarity of conventional wooden beehives while adding insulation intended to make the internal environment more stable throughout the year.
Mann Lake’s Position in the Market
Founded in 1983, Mann Lake has grown into a major supplier of beekeeping equipment and related products, serving commercial operators, hobbyists, and dealers across North America. Its business also extends beyond beekeeping through the Stromberg’s Chickens division, which supplies equipment for poultry raising. By adding Hive Hugger, Mann Lake is expanding its offering in a category that addresses hive efficiency, colony resilience, and beekeeper interest in designs that more closely reflect honeybees’ natural nesting conditions.
The acquisition combines Mann Lake’s manufacturing and distribution scale with Hive Hugger’s specialized insulation technology and growing following among beekeepers. For Hive Hugger, the deal provides the operational resources needed to increase production and reach a wider market while allowing DeSanto to concentrate on promoting the condensing hive concept. For Mann Lake, the transaction adds a differentiated product line focused on reducing thermal stress and supporting healthier, more resilient bee colonies.