The vitamins and supplements group run by former Dragons’ Den star Tej Lalvani has been acquired by private equity giant Bain Capital.
Vitabiotics is the UK’s number-one vitamin company, with brands such as Pregnacare, Perfectil, Wellman and Wellwoman, and generates almost £200m a year in sales. It also exports to more than 70 countries worldwide.
The value of the deal remained undisclosed, but media speculation last month put the price tag at around £900m.
Boston-headquartered Bain acquired the UK operations and the wider VB Group, including Meyer Organics in India and businesses in Africa.
Vitabiotics said the deal marked a significant milestone in its 55-year history and signalled the next phase of planned rapid international growth and expansion.
The UK would remain central to the Vitabiotics brand, innovation and category leadership, and there would be no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, the company added.
The deal was led by Bain Capital’s private equity team in Asia and supported by the firm’s global platform. Bain said it would bring local market knowledge in India, together with sector expertise, portfolio resources and global capabilities, to support Vitabiotics as it continued to scale its brands, strengthen its international platform and invest in long-term growth within core markets such as the Middle East and North Africa and China.
Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by professor Kartar Lalvani and has been led by his son Tej Lalvani as CEO for the past decade.
“This marks a defining moment in Vitabiotics’ journey,” Tej Lalvani said. “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.”
Bain Capital partner Pawan Singh added: “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.”
Completion of the transaction remains subject to certain closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals.
Houlihan Lokey acted as exclusive corporate finance advisor to Vitabiotics, while Macfarlanes acted as lead legal advisor. Rothschild & Co advised Bain Capital, with legal support from Kirkland & Ellis and co-counsel advice from Khaitan & Co on Indian law aspects of the transaction.
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