SDC Nutrition and Reaction Nutrition Close on Statutory Merger

Reaction Nutrition specializes in sports nutrition and health and wellness capsule manufacturing and brand marketing. SDC Nutrition said it is building on an existing relationship between two companies with complementary capabilities, personnel and vision. The merger will align 5 major brands and contract manufacturing under SDC Nutrition. The combined company will operate as SDC Nutrition, Inc. located in Pittsburgh, PA.

"Throughout 2015, SDC Nutrition was expanding the infrastructure for powder, capsule and tablet manufacturing and packaging capabilities while simultaneously looking for a strategic acquisition," remarked SDC's CEO, Sean Marszalek. "This was a classic build or buy scenario. The merger aligns with SDC' strategy to accelerate scalability and capability in the business model and support our manufacturing and packaging capabilities across powder, capsule tablet delivery forms. There were many aspects that attracted us to Reaction Nutrition, particularly their management team, revenue and margins, capsule manufacturing capabilities, and their rapidly growing brand, RECOR," says SDC CEO, Sean Marszalek.

"The merger provides significant synergies including enhanced powder, tablet, capsule manufacturing and packaging capabilities, leadership, improved efficiency and capability, as well as an expanded distribution and fulfillment operations. The merger was a logical step in the evolution and development of the business that creates substantial value for customers and stockholders of both SDC Nutrition and Reaction Nutrition. The merger will benefit customers through new services, broader product offerings, expanded service and quality capabilities," remarked SDC's COO, Dan Kohler.

"This is an exciting time in our industry. In my view this is a perfect merger, the combination of these two companies are clearly complementary to each other. The combined team is truly extraordinary and deep with experience. We are fortunate to have an executive team that works well together and shares the same vision and goals. With our aggressive growth strategy and increased capacity, we are looking forward to creating more jobs in the Greater Pittsburgh community," says Reaction Nutrition CEO, Frank Bedoloto.

"At SDC, we continue to pursue company growth organically and through strategic acquisition. The merger with Reaction Nutrition accelerates SDC Nutrition's capsule manufacturing capability and efficiency; and the Reaction Nutrition executive and operating staff strengthens SDC Nutrition's sales, marketing, capsule manufacturing, and business systems expertise to effectively grow the company at a significant pace. Our common vision and goals of growing as a leading manufacturer and brand marketing company in the nutritional supplement industry, by leading with quality and service, was very apparent when we began discussions several months ago," indicated Ray Boyer, SDC's CFO.

Financing for the merger was led by First Commonwealth Bank through Pat Fusco, Vice President and Senior Business Banking Officer. Reed Smith acted as the legal advisor and CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) served as financial advisor for the merger.