German firm moves to buy Fylde nutrition specialists

Kirkham-based Natures Aid has been bought by STADA Arzneimittel.

Founded in 1981 and currently employing around 60 staff members, Natures Aid manufactures vitamins, minerals, food supplements and herbal products.

In the financial year ending June 2016, it posted sales of £7.3m of which 80 per cent was generated in the UK, while its EBITDA was £1.9m.

The company, which sells to wholesalers and distributors in more than 30 countries said last year it had seen growth due to the increasingly savvy nature of people regarding their health.

Managing director Lynn Lord, (pictured) one of the founders along with husband David and colleague Paul Marshall, said: “People are more educated about health and nutrition than ever before.

“They are reading up online and then choosing the vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies that best fit with their lifestyle and health conditions.”

It created seven new jobs last year taking the total to 60 at its St George’s Park base.

STADA, which is headquartered at Bad Vilbel in Germany, is represented in more than 30 countries worldwide and employed 10,532 staff globally as of 31 December 2015.

STADA chief executive Dr Matthias Wiedenfels said: “With Natures Aid, we acquire a leading company in the attractive UK food supplement market, which is also well recognized in its international markets for its high quality standards.

David Gardner, of KBS Corporate Finance which advised on the deal , said: “Natures Aid is a great example of the type of company which we work with at KBS Corporate Finance. It is a high-growth business, enjoys a dominant market position and has a respected and visionary leadership team.

“We are confident that it will continues to grow its market share and be an excellent addition to the STADA portfolio.”