FDBusiness.com

Nestlé has agreed to acquire privately-held Atrium Innovations, a global leader in nutritional health products, from a group of investors led by Permira Funds for US$2.3 billion in cash. Atrium’s 2017 sales are expected to reach almost US$700 million.

The move supports Nestlé’s pursuit of growth opportunities in consumer healthcare to complement the company’s focus on its high-growth food and beverage categories. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018 following the completion of customary approvals and closing conditions.

Upon closing, Atrium, with its corporate offices in Quebec, Canada, will become part of Nestlé Health Science. Its existing management team will continue to manage the business, led by Peter Luther, president and chief executive of Atrium Innovations.

Greg Behar, chief executive of Nestlé Health Science.

Greg Behar, chief executive of Nestlé Health Science, says: “We value Atrium’s history as a highly successful company and welcome its 1,400 employees to the Nestlé family. Their brands are a natural complement to our Consumer Care portfolio, which offers nutritional solutions in the areas of Healthy Aging, Healthy Growing, Gut Health and Obesity Care. Atrium’s portfolio will extend our product range with value-added solutions such as probiotics, plant-based protein nutrition, meal replacements and an extensive multivitamin line, enabling consumers to address their health and wellness goals.”

Greg Behar adds: “Atrium’s established brands are in attractive categories and have the potential for continued strong growth as part of Nestlé through category, channel and geographic expansion. It also represents additional offerings in the segment for non-GMO, organic and natural supplements, a fast-growing consumer trend, as well as a new sales channel.”

Atrium’s largest brand, Garden of Life®, is the leading brand in the natural supplement industry in the US. Garden of Life, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, manufactures certified organic, non-GMO supplements that are sold in more than 14,000 health food stores and online in the US, as well as select markets internationally.

Pure Encapsulations® is a full line of hypoallergenic, research-based dietary supplements, and is the #1 recommended brand in the U.S. Practitioner market. Pure Encapsulations, headquartered in Sudbury, Massachusetts, product line is free from common food allergens, GMOs, fillers, binders and artificial colors and are sold in the US via healthcare practitioners, online as well as in pharmacies in several markets in Europe.

The remainder of the Atrium portfolio includes strong specialty brands like Wobenzym®, Douglas Laboratories®, Genestra Brands™, Orthica®, AOV®, Minami® Klean Athlete®, Pharmax and Trophic™.