Glanbia Gains Strength in Sports Nutrition Market

In a $315 million deal announced at the end of August, Glanbia plc, Kilkenny, Ireland, acquired Aurora, IL-based Optimum Nutrition, Inc. The business is being acquired on a debt-free basis and will be funded through Glanbia’s existing resources. Optimum is privately owned and has three operating facilities located in Illinois, South Carolina and Florida, employing 387 people. It has a 22-year track record in the manufacture of a range of whey-based, premium nutritional supplements, supplying the U.S. and global sports nutrition markets. In 2007, Optimum generated $185 million in revenue and $32 million in operating profit. Last December, the company had gross assets worth ap­proximately $51 million.