HERSHEY, Pa. and BOULDER, Colo. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 27, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) strengthened its position as a snacking leader today, announcing that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ONE Brands, LLC, the maker of a line of low-sugar, high-protein nutrition bars.
“ONE’s portfolio of great tasting nutrition bars, with indulgent flavors such as Birthday Cake, Maple Glazed Doughnut and Peanut Butter Pie, will be a strong strategic fit within our overall innovative snacking powerhouse vision,” said Mary Beth West, Hershey’s Chief Growth Officer. “Our beloved confection brands will continue to be the engine that drives our business while we broaden our better-for-you portfolio, offering more snacking choices for more consumers.”
“We’re proud of the brand we built and look forward to continuing to build on our momentum with the strength and capabilities that Hershey can provide,” said Ron McAfee, Founder, ONE Brands, LLC. “Our consumer proposition, brand equity and team provide us with confidence, especially when combined with an industry leader like Hershey,” said Peter Burns, CEO, ONE Brands, LLC.
The acquisition is expected to enable Hershey to provide a competitive offering of brands in the nutrition bar category. ONE Brands will complement the company’s existing Oatmega business, which was acquired as part of the 2018 acquisition of Amplify Snack Brands, Inc., and its recent investment in FULFIL Holdings limited, a European leader in great tasting, vitamin-fortified, high-protein bars. Hershey intends to expand the existing ONE Brands offerings by leveraging its core capabilities in sales and distribution, category management and digital commerce.
ONE Brands purchase price is $397 million, or approximately $325 million net of tax benefits. The transaction will be financed with cash on hand as well as short-term borrowings. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. ONE Brands acquisition is expected to be slightly accretive to earnings in the first full year post closing.
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About Hershey
The Hershey Company, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2019, is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands, remarkable people and community impact. Hershey has approximately 16,500 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.
For 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.
About ONE Brands
ONE Brands, formerly known as Oh Yeah! Nutrition was founded in 1999 by Ron McAfee. The company, currently backed by Cavu Venture Partners, has roots in sports nutrition and has always been a high protein snack bar pioneer with a singular mission: exceptional taste, texture and ingredients with zero compromises and even fewer regrets.
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Media Contact: Leigh Horner
717-412-8445
lhorner@hersheys.com