NBTY, Inc., an American manufacturer and marketer of vitamins and nutritional supplements recently announced that it has entered into a contract to purchase NatureSmart from Whole Foods Market, Inc. for approximately US$28m, reports PR Newswire. NatureSmart develops, manufactures and markets nutritional supplements including vitamins, minerals, herbs and personal care products. The acquired business is comprised of four divisions: Bio Energy Nutrients and HealthSmart Vitamins; Brand Partners, which manufactures private label vitamins for the mass market and specialty retailers; and PhysioLogics, a provider of specialised nutritional supplements to healthcare professionals. NatureSmart, located in Colorado, US had annual sales of US$59m in FY 2000 and has net assets of US$19m. The acquisition is expected to close next week. The acquisition will strengthen NBTY's position as a leader in direct response vitamin sales, and will provide a new marketing opportunity by offering products directly to healthcare professionals. With NBTY's greater volume and expertise, the acquired company will be able to reduce its costs of manufacturing, printing and mailing. NBTY Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Rudolph stated, "NBTY continues to capitalise on the weakness in the industry by making strategic acquisitions with advantageous terms. The NatureSmart acquisition will expand our leadership position in the marketing of nutritional supplements and provide growth opportunities for our operations … NatureSmart will allow us to continue this trend." Source: NBTY, Inc., PR Newswire
