The Hain Celestial Group Inc., a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe and India providing consumers with “A Healthier Way of Life,” announced the acquisition of the remaining approximately 80% that it did not already own of EK Holdings Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Empire Kosher Poultry Inc. based in Mifflintown, Pa. The purchase price for the remaining approximately 80% of Empire was $57.6 million, which includes net debt that was repaid at closing. In May 2010 Empire purchased Kosher Valley, the first brand of certified kosher antibiotic-free, vegetarian fed and humanely raised all natural branded chicken and turkey products, from Hain Pure Protein Corporation at which time HPPC received a 19% interest in Empire.
Empire offers a full range of kosher antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken and turkey products including fresh tray pack, frozen, deli, fully cooked, gluten-free and organic products in the United States as well as the Kosher Valley brand sold exclusively in Whole Foods Market. Empire generated over $100 million in net sales in calendar year 2014 and is expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial's earnings in fiscal year 2016.