Bain Capital to accquire UK's leading vitamin company Vitabiotics

Mumbai: Private equity firm Bain Capital will acquire Vitabiotics, the UK’s leading nutraceutical company, including its UK operations and the wider VB Group (including Meyer Organics in India, and its operations in Africa, including VB Egypt), company said on Friday.

Though the deal size was not disclosed, the deal values Vitabiotics at $850-900 million, said sources.

Bain Capital has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Vitabiotics, as the private equity firm looks to bet on growing demand for nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and wellness supplements since the pandemic, ET first reported on 21 April.


Two other contenders TPG Capital and EQT have opted out of the competitive bidding process, ET had reported.

Founded in 1971 by Kartar Lalvani, Vitabiotics is currently led by his son, Tej Lalvani — also known for his role as an investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den — who serves as chief executive officer.

The NRI founders have been seeking a valuation of around £900 million ($1–1.2 billion). However, the waning competitive interest is likely to impact the final price, ET reported.

Indian drugmaker Lupin and a clutch of private equity investors including EQT Partners and TPG Capital are in separate early-stage discussions to acquire UK’s largest nutraceutical company, Vitabiotics, ET had reported in November last year.

Vitabiotics’ top-selling brands include Wellwoman, Wellbaby, Pregnacare, Menopace, Feroglobin, Immunace, Visionace, Perfectil and Osteocare.

The UK will remain central to Vitabiotics’ brand, innovation, and category leadership.

There will be no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, and 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, company said.

Bain Capital will bring local market knowledge in India, together with sector expertise, portfolio resources and global capabilities, to support Vitabiotics as it continues to scale its brands, strengthen its international platform and invest in long-term growth within key markets such as MENA and China, it added.

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.”

Pawan Singh, a Partner at Bain Capital, said: “Our India team has deep experience partnering with healthcare and consumer businesses, and we look forward to supporting Vitabiotics’ next phase of growth.”