NCN Reports High Level of Investments for 2013

SAN DIEGO, Calif.Nutrition Capital Network (NCN) reported the high level of investment activity seen in 2012 has continued over to the first quarter of 2013.

We are on track to equal, if not surpass, the record high of 287 transactions posted in 2012 with recent Q1 transactions showing sustained interest among investors," said Grant Ferrier, CEO and co-founder of NCN. Last year, we saw over 50-percent growth in financings despite a 12-percent drop in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity."

Successful deals in Q1 included a significant investment by Arlon Group and VO2 Partners in The Chia Company. Q1 also achieved the purchase (77 percent majority stake) of gluten-free brand Marys Gone Crackers by Japans snack giant Kameda Seika Co., Ltd. In addition, the company acquired supplement brand Schwabe.

Last September, NCN released a list based on strategic importance and size of the Top 15 transactions in nutrition, health and wellness for 2012. The list included Campbell Soup's $1.6-billion acquisition of Bolthouse Farms, UK's Reckitt's $1.4-billion acquisition of Schiff Nutrition and the $500-million and  $900-million of Ocean Nutrition and Pronova BioPharma.