Founder buys back Aminolabs shares from Waterland Private Equity

Hasselt, 19 September – Today, founder Roger Anné bought back the Aminolabs shares of Waterland Private Equity in collaboration with local investment company LRM and the executive team. This gives Anné a majority stake in the company he founded on 10 September 1993.

In the 30 years since Aminolabs’ establishment, it has grown into a leading global player in high-quality sports nutrition and nutritional supplements. In 2015, Waterland Private Equity took a majority stake through one of its funds. This marked the start of a period of structural growth for Aminolabs.

In the eight years that Waterland Private Equity was on board, Aminolabs also made a number of acquisitions in Belgium and elsewhere and became a leading one-stop-shop contract manufacturer of powders, capsules and tablets. Today, Aminolabs is a global supplier of many brands of sports nutrition, dietary products and nutritional supplements.

In 2016, Aminolabs initiated the production of functional nutrition bars. This venture was branched out from Aminolabs under the brand name EMPWR and has since evolved into a company with a turnover exceeding 160 million euros in 2022. Roger Anné and Waterland Private Equity continue to jointly hold shares in EMPWR.

Thirty years of Aminolabs as a pivotal moment

"Waterland Private Equity’s participation allowed Aminolabs to become one of the leading players in this sector. Our 30th anniversary was the perfect time to review our shareholder structure," Roger Anné says. "30 years ago, I founded Aminolabs with great ambition. Today, as the main shareholder, I want to keep building on our success story together with the management and with the support of LRM. Our objective remains the same: we want to keep growing. More than ever, innovation and the continuous delivery of quality are our hallmarks."

Aminolabs is part of a strong growth market. It is no longer just athletes who take supplements and pay close attention to their diet. In addition to athletes, even less sports-oriented individuals are increasingly reconsidering their dietary choices and how they can live healthier lives. In doing so, they are increasingly opting for supplements and healthy snacks. Aminolabs wants to continue to strengthen its position in a society that is becoming more and more health aware.

"The step we are taking today would not have been possible without the faith Waterland Private Equity has shown in us by investing in Aminolabs in 2015. We are very grateful to them for that," Anné adds. "Today’s management buyout means that not only myself but also the management team acquire more than 10% ownership, and LRM is also taking a minority stake. This structure allows us to further invest in innovation and keep growing. Together, we resolutely steer an independent course. That combination allows us to continue Aminolabs’ powerful story."

Today, Aminolabs has 260 employees working at two different sites: one in Hasselt and one in Bleckede near Hamburg in Germany. 95% of the company's production is destined for export, making it one of the leading players in Europe. Aminolabs achieved a record revenue of over 90 million euros in 2022. The ambition for the coming years is to achieve annual growth of 20 to 25 percent.

Aminolabs timeline

vlnr: Vincent Vanhooymissen, Managing Director & CFO - Roger Anné, Founder & Chairman of the Board - Kristien Schrijvers, Managing Director & COOvlnr: Vincent Vanhooymissen, Managing Director & CFO - Roger Anné, Founder & Chairman of the Board - Kristien Schrijvers, Managing Director & COOAminolabs, hoofdkantoor, Hasselt (BE)

About Aminolabs:
​Founded in 1993, Aminolabs is one of the largest producers of private-label active and lifestyle nutrition in Europe. The company works with some of the world's biggest brands and retailers in sports, active and lifestyle nutrition and sells its products through various retail, direct-to-consumer and multi-level marketing channels. With 260 employees operating in two locations, Hasselt, Belgium and Bleckede, Germany, Aminolabs is a pioneer of the industry. It is an expert in product development with thousands of different products in different forms (powders, tablets, capsules and soft gels) and various packaging formats. Its headquarters are in Hasselt.