13 Nov NPM Capital acquires a majority interest in VSI

Nutrition bars leader wants to continue rapid growth with addition of new shareholder

Amsterdam, November 13, 2012 – Today NPM Capital announced its intention to acquire a majority interest in VSI (‘B.V. Vurense Snack Industrie’), the European market leader in functional bars. Based in Leerdam, The Netherlands, VSI specializes in the development and production of functional bars, particularly in the weight-management and sports nutrition categories.

VSI has experienced significant growth during the past decade due to its unique partnership model, providing its clients with a reliable source of innovation that helps them fuel market growth. VSI’s clients introduce over 150 newly-developed, customer-specific formulations per year thanks to VSI’s unmatched R&D capabilities and process know-how.

CEO of VSI, Gerard Janssens, commented: “VSI has grown very rapidly with the near doubling of capacity in the last year; we believe we have a compelling strategy to continue to develop our leadership position in the functional bars market. We are very excited to have NPM’s backing to further invest in R&D, new markets and acquisitions, and to have them support our continued expansion.“

Food companies with a strong R&D focus in the current environment of increasing raw material prices are highly attractive according to NPM Capital Managing Director Jan Willem Baud: “VSI has a unique position in the market and we expect consumers to continue to move towards this type of product.”

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and completion of the works council procedures, which NPM Capital and VSI expect to close by the end of 2012.

Atlas Strategic Advisors, LLC acted as financial advisor to VSI, NautaDutilh acted as legal advisor to VSI. CORP acted as legal advisor to NPM.