Vitamin Well Group Acquires EMPWR to Boost Nutritional Bar Manufacturing

Cinven and Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC) backed Vitamin Well, a Swedish functional beverages and snacks company, has entered into an agreement to acquire EMPWR, a Belgium-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) focused on nutritional bars. The deal, announced on July 2, 2026, is set to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, pending customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

EMPWR operates four manufacturing facilities located in Croatia, the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada. The company employs over 1,500 people and serves more than 100 customers worldwide. Since its establishment as an independent entity in 2022, following a carve-out from Atlantic Grupa supported by Waterland Private Equity, EMPWR has expanded its production capacity from a single facility to four, increasing production lines from one to 15.

Vitamin Well Group has maintained a long-standing partnership with EMPWR, which produces the Barebells protein bar range. Bringing EMPWR in-house is a strategic move to internalize manufacturing, enabling Vitamin Well to scale production capacity, reduce third-party costs, and accelerate innovation in the protein bar segment.

“This is a transformational moment for Vitamin Well,” said a company spokesperson. “By combining our brand-building and commercial capabilities with EMPWR’s world-class manufacturing platform, we can fully meet growing consumer demand and sustain momentum in the protein bar category.”

Founded in Sweden in 2006, Vitamin Well Group owns and develops several brands including Vitamin Well, NOCCO, Barebells, NÅBE, and Tyngre. The Group operates in over 50 markets across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with a strong presence in functional beverages and protein snacks.

EMPWR, headquartered in Belgium, has grown significantly under Waterland Private Equity’s ownership since 2017, with investments exceeding €200 million in manufacturing capacity and operational improvements. Waterland also supported strategic acquisitions such as Noble Foods in North America and VSI in the Netherlands, further expanding EMPWR’s footprint.

Waterland will retain a minority stake in Vitamin Well Group post-transaction, reflecting confidence in the combined entity’s growth prospects. Cinven remains the lead investor in Vitamin Well Group, with founders and existing shareholders continuing as significant long-term owners.

The acquisition is expected to enhance Vitamin Well’s innovation capabilities by merging the complementary R&D strengths of both companies. This integration aims to accelerate new product development and better respond to evolving consumer trends in the nutritional bar market.

Market analysts note that this vertical integration strengthens Vitamin Well’s position in the competitive protein bar segment by securing a critical manufacturing asset and enabling faster market responsiveness. The deal also aligns with broader industry trends of consolidation and increased investment in manufacturing capabilities among consumer packaged goods companies.

Operationally, the integration will require aligning corporate cultures and managing production across multiple international sites. Maintaining strong customer relationships and service levels during the transition remains a priority for both companies.

Looking ahead, Vitamin Well Group plans to continue operating as a brand-led consumer goods company, maintaining a broad network of manufacturing partners across categories and geographies, while leveraging EMPWR’s manufacturing expertise to fuel growth.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, marking a significant step in Vitamin Well’s expansion strategy within the nutritional bar market.