Hain Celestial buys UK sweetener supplier Clarks

By Mike Stones

- Last updated on GMT

UK sweetener supplier Clarks has been acquired by US-based firm Hain Celestial
UK sweetener supplier Clarks has been acquired by US-based firm Hain Celestial

Related tags Honey Syrup

US-based Hain Celestial Group is to buy sweetener supplier Clarks UK for an undisclosed sum.

Based in Newport, South Wales, Clarks manufactures maple syrup, honeys, carob fruit syrup, agave syrup, date syrups and dessert sauces. The business produces the sweeteners under the Clarks brand and sells to food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice companies.

Last year Clarks achieved total net sales of about £7M and was expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial’s earnings in the fiscal year of 2019.

Hain Celestial founder, president and ceo Irwin Simon looked forward to working with Clarks in expanding the brand’s development in this country and continental Europe.

“The Clarks brand and products are a strategic fit with the Hain Daniels spreads business for various natural sweeteners applications to complement our health and wellness portfolio of brands as consumers continue to seek to reduce their sugar intake and look for better-for-you alternatives to refined sugar,”​ said Simon.

Develop the natural sweeteners category

James Skidmore, ceo of Hain Daniels – the UK subsidiary of Hain Celestial – predicted significant opportunities to develop the natural sweeteners category.

“The strength of the Clarks brand puts it in a strong position to capitalise on the growing consumer trends towards more natural and healthier foods,”​ said Skidmore.

Clarks’s founder and md Bob Clark said: “This is a significant milestone for Clarks natural sweeteners and will deliver extra investment to help drive and expand the brand.

“I will stay on with the business in a consultative role. We’re very much looking forward to working with the Hain Daniels team to continue our growth in new and existing customers.”

Clarks claimed to be the UK’s best-selling maple syrup and natural sweetener brand. Its range included: Clarks Original Maple Syrup blended with Carob Fruit Syrup, Clarks Pure Canadian Maple Syrup in Golden & Delicate, Amber & Rich and Dark & Robust, Clarks Clear Honey and Runny Honey, Natural Sweeteners including Clarks Carob Fruit Syrup, Organic Agave Syrup and Date Syrup.

Dessert sauces

Its dessert sauces included: Golden Brown Syrup, Lower Sugar Chocolate Sauce and Lower Sugar Strawberry Sauce.

The business employs more than 30 people in its Newport factory in south Wales.

In addition to supplying food manufacturers, foodservice and catering wholesalers and major restaurant chains, Clarks UK supplies retail customers such as: Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Ocado and Lidl.

Hain Celestial owns the brands Ella’s Kitchen, Linda McCartney Foods and Gale’s Honey. As well as sites in North Amercia and the UK, Hain operates production facilities in Belgium, France, Germany and Austria.

Meanwhile, in February Hain Daniels acquired premium soup maker Yorkshire Provender​ for an undisclosed fee.

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