Gryphon's Vivify buys botanicals supplier AuNutra to crack nutraceuticals
What's the deal? Vivify Specialty IngredientsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Gryphon InvestorsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → portfolio company, has acquired AuNutra IndustriesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a supplier of botanical extracts and specialty nutritional ingredients. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The players: Vivify supplies specialty colorants, additives, and ingredients to the food and beverage, personal care and cosmetics, and industrial markets. Founded in 2003 and based in Chino, California, AuNutra sells standardized botanical extracts, herb powders, vitamins, and amino acids to the nutraceutical and supplement industries.
What's the endgame? The deal pushes Vivify into the nutraceutical and supplement markets and broadens its specialty ingredient portfolio. It also expands Vivify's distribution reach across North America.
Why now? Vivify is positioning AuNutra's botanical and herbal lineup as a complement to its own strength in natural color. "This move strengthens our position in the exciting and high growth markets of nutraceuticals and supplements," said Brian Leen, chief executive officer of Vivify.
AuNutra founder Kava Liu said he will stay invested in the combined business. "I continue to be a significant investor and look forward to continuing to support our growth strategy as part of the combined organization," he said.
The backer's view: Tim Bradley, deal partner in Gryphon's Heritage Group, framed the purchase as part of a broader buildout. "AuNutra is a highly complementary addition to Vivify and represents another important step in the Company's growth," he said, citing AuNutra's suppliers and customer relationships in the sector.
Genoa PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → served as exclusive financial advisor to AuNutra.
The signal: The acquisition reflects a private equity-backed roll-up strategy in specialty ingredients, where sponsors stitch together adjacent product lines to build scale and cross-sell to customers across food, beverage, and supplements.
Read more: business.theantlersamerican.com
Image credit: wallygrom
