Leading Yorkshire-based nutritional supplement firm purchased as part of European expansion plans

Law firm Shoosmiths has advised private equity firm Capiton - via its investee company Euro Vital Pharma (EVP) - on the acquisition of Skipton-based Principle Healthcare Group, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and distributors of vitamins, minerals and supplements in the private label consumer healthcare sector.

Principle Healthcare, which serves more than 7,500 supermarkets, pharmacies and health food chains worldwide with its production facilities in Europe, is a further building block in the European expansion strategy of EVP. The complimentary product portfolios of the two groups offers significant cross-selling opportunities and synergies in Europe and globally.

The purchase will see Principle Healthcare’s management team remain, be part of Euro Vital Pharma’s growth strategy and complement the group’s pharmaceutical licences and medical devices offering.

James Foster, partner and head of Shoosmiths private equity team in the North, said: “We are delighted to have been part of this strategic acquisition for EVP, in a market which remains buoyant despite the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On a personal note, it is also great to see cross-border private equity interest in a Yorkshire based asset and we are sure that this can only lead to bigger and better things for both Principle and EVP. We wish them all the best.”

No financial details have been disclosed.

As well as Shoosmiths, EVP and German PE firm Capiton were advised in this cross-border transaction by PWC Leeds led by partner Joel Smith (financial and tax), BMH Braeutigam and BBH (German and Slovak legal) and Fidelio Healthcare Partners (technical/operations). Sills and Betteridge advised the Sellers.