The Hain Celestial Group Inc., a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe, and India and headquartered in Lake Success, New York, has acquired the approximately 80 percent that it did not already own of EK Holdings Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Empire Kosher Poultry Inc., based in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, Hain said in a news release.
The purchase price for the remaining approximately 80 percent that it did not already own of EK Holding and Empire Kosher was $57.6 million, which includes net debt that was repaid at closing.
In May 2010, Empire purchased Kosher Valley, the first brand of certified kosher antibiotic-free, vegetarian fed, and humanely raised all natural branded chicken and turkey products, from Hain Pure Protein Corporation at which time Hain Pure Protein received a 19 percent interest in Empire.
Empire offers a full range of kosher antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken and turkey products in the United States, as well as the Kosher Valley brand sold exclusively in Whole Foods Market. Empire generated over $100 million in net sales in calendar year 2014.
“Empire expands our farm-to-table product offerings, a growing category that appeals to those seeking ‘the pure foods trend,’ including our core natural and organic consumers. ” said Irwin D. Simon, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial.
Jeffrey N. Brown, Empire’s chief executive officer, will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Empire, reporting to Irwin Simon.
Hain Celestial has more than 2,000 products that are kosher certified in its branded portfolio of natural and organic products, with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings, Garden of Eatin’, MaraNatha, Rice Dream, Soy Dream, FreeBird, Empire Kosher, Kosher Valley, Linda McCartney and Queen Helene.
