Carve-out: Aurelius Acquires HAIN International
London/Munich – AURELIUS, a global private equity investor known for its operational approach, has reached an agreement to acquire Hain International, the U.K. and European business unit of Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN).
Hain International is a leading European platform in the healthy and “better-for-you” food and beverage categories and has a portfolio of market-leading brands as well as extensive private-label capabilities. The company operates in six core categories: Baby & Kids (Ella’s Kitchen), spreads & jellies (Hartley’s, Sun-Pat, Robertson’s, Frank Cooper’s, and Rose’s), soups (New Covent Garden Soup Co., Yorkshire Provender, and Cully & Sully), plant-based beverages (Joya, Natumi, and Lima), meat alternatives (Linda McCartney), and desserts. With seven production facilities in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria, Hain International supplies leading food retailers, discounters, foodservice operators, and B2B customers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and continental Europe. The company employs approximately 1,500 people and generates annual revenue of about €600 million.
The acquisition of Hain International will create an independent European food and beverage business with leading brands and production capabilities across various categories. With the support of AURELIUS WaterRise, the company’s operational advisory team, Hain International will expand its leading market positions, drive product innovation, broaden its private-label partnerships, and optimize operational efficiency across its entire production base and supply chain.
“Following the acquisitions of Xylem Inc. and Grainger Inc. last year, Hain International is our most recent European carve-out from a U.S.-listed conglomerate. “I am proud of our teams, who have made our mid-market platform the preferred partner for transatlantic carve-outs,” says Tristan Nagler, partner at AURELIUS and head of the London office. “We are very pleased to become the owners of Hain International’s well-known brands and look forward to working with the team.”
“This is the fourth spin-off we have signed for Fund V since its closing last year. I am pleased that our latest fund is gaining momentum, especially given the challenging market environment,” said Andrzej Cebrat, Managing Director of AURELIUS Funds IV and V.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and an amendment to Hain Celestial’s credit agreement.
AURELIUS is being advised by Houlihan Lokey (M&A), Freshfields and Shoosmiths (legal), A&M (finance), BDO (tax), Food Strategy Associates (retail), and Haver & Mailänder (antitrust).
About AURELIUS
AURELIUS is a globally active private equity investor that is distinguished by and widely recognized for its hands-on approach. The firm focuses on private markets, particularly private equity and private debt. Its key investment platforms include AURELIUS Opportunities V, AURELIUS European Opportunities IV, AUR Portfolio III, and AURELIUS Growth. AURELIUS has grown significantly in recent years, particularly through the expansion of its global presence, and today employs more than 400 professionals across ten offices in Europe, North America, and Asia.
AURELIUS is a renowned specialist in complex investments with operational improvement potential, such as carve-outs, platform builds, and succession planning, as well as customized financing solutions. To date, AURELIUS has completed more than 300 transactions and has built a strong track record of delivering attractive returns for its investors. The firm’s approach is characterized by an uncompromising focus on operational excellence and an unmatched ability to efficiently execute highly complex transactions.
www.aurelius-group.com