Rosewood Private Investments (RPI) has acquired a majority equity in ProTec Laboratory (ProTec), a provider of contract manufacturing services to consumer brands in the dietary supplements, sports nutrition, functional foods, and pet care products industries.
The investment in ProTec represents the third within RPI’s holding company, International Nutrition & Wellness Holdings (INW Holdings), and the second this year under INW Holdings CEO Paul Richardson. In July, INW acquired Irving, Texas-based contract manufacturer, Healthy Natural, Inc. (Healthy Natural), from Rice-Bran Technologies. INW also holds an ownership stake in United I International Laboratories (“United I”), a Carrollton, Texas-based manufacturer of dietary supplements, sports nutrition and personal care products. Together the companies offer an array of manufacturing capabilities and serve a diverse customer base on a global scale.
“With Rosewood’s support we have been able to invest heavily in this category, beginning with United I,” says Richardson. “The recent integration of Healthy Natural has created meaningful value for us and more importantly, for our customers. By bringing ProTec into the fold, we’ve created a significant platform of scale with enormous potential. Today, the combined businesses serve well over 100 customers in over 60 markets globally, and we plan to grow far beyond that by focusing on our centers of excellence as well as through select strategic acquisitions.”
Sarah and Sail Ricks, founders of ProTec, says: “We are thrilled with the partnership and are excited about the opportunities to come. This investment will enable a 100,000-square foot expansion and allow us to make significant enhancements through technology and greater automation. Partnering with Rosewood and INW gives us the ability to rapidly expand our product portfolio and better serve our customers.”
ProTec was advised by Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, and Alantra Partners served as the company’s sell-side advisor. Rosewood companies received legal representation from Gardere Wynne Sewell. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
