SUNOPTA : -->Acquires Neo-Nutritionals, Inc.,

h.mackel

06 déc. 2007 •17:36

SunOpta Acquires Neo-Nutritionals, Inc., Further Expands Vertically Integrated Production of Natural Health Products
TORONTO, Dec 6, 2007 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today announced that it has acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Neo-Nutritionals, Inc. ("Neo-Nutritionals"), located in Brantford, Ontario. Neo-Nutritionals develops and manufacturers a wide range of natural health products, in primarily tablet, capsule and powder form, and sells the products to both branded natural health products companies and as private label brands for mass market and natural health retailers. The transaction included a combination of cash and notes payable.
Founded in 1998 by Edward and Tonya Squires, the business has shown consistent growth, with profitable revenues approaching $4 million. The business employs approximately 20 people and operates from an 18,000 square foot cGMP (Canadian Good Manufacturing Practices) licensed manufacturing facility located in Brantford, Ontario. Edward and Tonya Squires will continue to lead Neo-Nutritionals, all employees will be retained and the operations will be expanded over the next six months to facilitate additional business.

Neo-Nutritionals expands and integrates SunOpta's natural health products manufacturing and packaging platform. SunOpta currently operates a natural health products bottling operation located in Rockwood, Ontario through its Purity Life Health Products operating group. The Rockwood operation currently utilizes third parties to manufacture products for subsequent bottling. As a result of the Neo-Nutritionals acquisition, over time much of this production will be produced internally.

Edward and Tonya Squires commented, "We are extremely pleased to join SunOpta and look forward to accelerating our growth as part of the SunOpta family and particularly the SunOpta Distribution Group. SunOpta shares our values and approach to business and we are very confident that this presents a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved."

Steve Bromley, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta commented, "We are most pleased to have reached an agreement with Ted and Tonya to acquire Neo-Nutritionals. The business is a great fit with SunOpta and supports our strategy of vertical integration in key components of our businesses. We are very confident that the combination of SunOpta's natural health products platform with Neo-Nutritionals will drive significant synergies and new business opportunities as we grow together."