Nestlé acquiring The Better Health Company in market expansion deal

30 Jun 2022 --- Nestlé Health Science is set to acquire The Better Health Company (TBHC), as part of its goals to grow global market share while spurring innovation across the nutrition industry.

“This acquisition will expand our vitamins, minerals and health supplements presence in New Zealand, Australia, and other Asia Pacific countries, with the ability to expand further within the region,” Margaret Stuart, director of corporate affairs and sustainability, Nestlé Oceania, tells NutritionInsight. 

“We are not releasing financial details,” comments Stuart. “The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2022, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory clearance and Oversea Investment Office (OIO) approval in New Zealand.” 

The acquisition includes the GO Healthy brand with its vitamins and supplements, Egmont, the Manuka honey brand and New Zealand Health Manufacturing, an Auckland-based manufacturing facility for vitamins minerals and supplements

Paul Bruhn, head of the Oceania, Asia, Middle East and Africa region of Nestlé Health Science, described the acquisition as “a strategic fit.” They also want to “share and leverage innovation and product development.”

Leveraging opportunitiesGO Healthy is offering supplements in a broad spectrum, such as immunity boosters.
The brand GO Healthy offers supplements in many health categories, such as immune health, joint health, sleep and nervous system, weight management and heart health. The ingredients are sourced globally and formulated by engineers, scientists and naturopaths.

“It’s a trusted, leading brand, sold through channels which complement our current offerings. We also see opportunities to leverage TBHC’s manufacturing facility and capabilities to accelerate product innovation, development and launches, both for TBHC’s brands as well as for Nestlé Health Sciences.”

“Go Healthy has been growing steadily, and we see opportunities to help accelerate that growth, both through building the business in existing markets leveraging the NHSc teams and capabilities on the ground and potentially entering new markets in AOA.”

“This will strengthen our presence not just in New Zealand, but more broadly across the region, with the GO Healthy brand which is already present in Australia, China, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, and the globally-known Egmont brand,” says Jennifer Chappel, CEO, Nestlé, New Zealand. 

Growing into nutritional shere
Previously this year, Nestlé Health Science acquired “major stakes” of Orgain, a company focusing on plant-based nutrition. This was another step for Nestlé to expand in the nutrition sector, to tap into growing consumer awareness surrounding protein nutritional supplements supporting health and wellness.

Last year, Nestlé acquired The Bountiful Company for US$5.75 billion to “complement their portfolio” as the company also specializes in vitamins, minerals, herbals and supplements. The same year, Nestlé Health Science also reported a double-digit growth driven by supplements. 

As for the latest acquisition, Chappel adds: “This range of strong brands will take us well beyond our traditional food and beverage business and solidify our position in nutrition, health and wellness while underscoring our commitment to New Zealand.”

By Beatrice Wihlander