Key Summary
- Vitabiotics founder Professor Kartar Lalvani will assume the honorary role of Chairman Emeritus on completion of the transaction.
- The company will invest in areas including digital capabilities, e-commerce, international distribution, supply chain resilience and new product development.
- Vitabiotics Chief Executive Officer Tej Lalvani has appeared as a Dragon on BBC TV’s Dragons’ Den.
Bain Capital on Friday (24) announced that it has agreed to acquire Vitabiotics, and the wider VB Group (including Meyer Organics in India, and its operations in Africa), marking a significant milestone in the nutraceutical pioneer's 55-year history.
Vitabiotics is one of the most recognised independent vitamins, minerals and supplements businesses globally, and this acquisition will help Boston-based Bain create a platform for accelerated international growth.
Pawan Singh, a Partner at Bain Capital, said: “Vitabiotics is exactly the type of business we support: a trusted, science-led brand platform with category leadership, strong healthcare professional credibility and meaningful presence across the UK, India, the Middle East, Africa and China.
"Our India team has deep experience partnering with healthcare and consumer businesses, and we look forward to supporting Vitabiotics’ next phase of growth.”
The companies declined to disclose the financial terms of the transaction, but some media reports claim the deal is valued at about $1.2 billion.
There will be no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, and the UK will remain central to Vitabiotics’ brand, innovation, and category leadership.
The company will continue to focus on delivering for customers, partners and consumers, while investing in areas including digital capabilities, e-commerce, international distribution, supply chain resilience and new product development.
Tej Lalvani, Group Chief Executive Officer of Vitabiotics, said: “This marks a defining moment in Vitabiotics’ journey. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to build on my father's vision to harness the power of science and nutrition to improve everyday health and, together with our exceptional team, help transform Vitabiotics from a British family business into one of the world's most trusted vitamin and wellness companies.
"This direction is not about changing who we are; it is about accelerating what we can become. With Bain Capital’s global expertise and investment behind us, we have a unique opportunity to expand internationally, accelerate our innovation, and take our trusted brands to millions more consumers, while staying true to the science, quality and values that have defined Vitabiotics for more than 55 years."
Neutraceutical pioneer
Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by scientist and entrepreneur, Professor Kartar Lalvani OBE, who pioneered the nutraceutical field and innovative science-based formulas.
This led to a whole new categories of supplements and sector-leading brands supporting specific health and life-stage needs, and many of them became household names.
Over the last decade, under the leadership of his son, Tej Lalvani, Group Chief Executive Officer, the business has significantly accelerated its growth and leadership through product launches and partnerships.
In the last 30 years, Tej Lalvani played a central role in transforming Vitabiotics into one of the world's leading independent science-led nutraceutical companies.
Outside Vitabiotics, he is widely recognised as one of the UK's leading entrepreneurs and as a Dragon on BBC TV’s Dragons' Den.
As founder of the Group and in recognition of his lifetime contribution and leadership in the supplement sector, Professor Kartar Lalvani will assume the honorary role of Chairman Emeritus on completion of the transaction.
His elder son, Professor Ajit Lalvani, has contributed his medical and scientific expertise to the business as non-executive director over three decades.
