Glanbia to buy US protein bar firm

Global nutrition company Glanbia has agreed to buy US protein snack bar company thinkThin for $217M (£143M).

Los Angeles-based firm thinkThin was founded by entrepreneur Lizanne Falsetto who created a range of high protein products as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks.

The company targets lifestyle consumers in the US and its acquisition will increase Glanbia Performance Nutrition’s presence in the nutritional snack bar category.

Growth ambitions

thinkThin at a glance

  • Founded by entrepreneur Lizanne Falsetto in 1999
  • High protein bars, protein bites and hot oatmeal
  • Distributes through retail channels in the US
thinkThin-founder.jpg

Glanbia Group md Siobhán Talbot said the acquisition fitted with the nutrition company’s growth ambitions.

“As a premium lifestyle nutrition product with very strong brand equity, thinkThin represents an excellent strategic addition to our portfolio of market leading performance nutrition brands,” she said.  

“The transaction is firmly aligned with our overall growth ambitions and positions us well in the fast growing nutrition bar category as well as being value enhancing for our shareholders.”

The deal is expected to be completed before the end of the 2015 financial year, subject to regulatory approval.

‘Protein and fibre bars’

Found in 1999, thinkThin has developed a range of high protein and fibre bars as well as protein bites and hot oatmeal. It mainly distributes products through retail channels in the US. 

Net sales for the year to the end of September 2015 were $84M (£55M), with a compound average growth rate for the previous three years of 31%. 

Meanwhile, Glanbia Performance Nutrition won the Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year Award at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards this month.

siobhan-talbot.jpg

View from Glanbia Group md

“As a premium lifestyle nutrition product with very strong brand equity, thinkThin represents an excellent strategic addition to our portfolio of market leading performance nutrition brands.”

  • Siobhán Talbot, md, Glanbia Group