Strategic Acquisition Fuels Growth in Nutritional Ingredients Market

Actus Nutrition, a key player in the nutritional ingredients sector and a portfolio company of Butterfly Equity, has finalized an agreement to acquire a significant 99,000 sq. ft. processing facility in Sparta, Wisconsin, from Foremost Farms USA. This strategic move will bolster Actus Nutrition’s production capabilities, particularly in the high-demand area of whey protein products.

The acquisition not only expands Actus Nutrition’s manufacturing footprint but also establishes a long-term, exclusive partnership with Foremost Farms for whey protein supply. This collaboration is designed to benefit both organizations, ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials for Actus while allowing Foremost Farms to streamline its operations.

Investment in Capacity and Capabilities

Actus Nutrition plans significant capital investments in the Sparta facility to increase its production capacity and broaden its range of capabilities. this expansion is a direct response to the escalating global demand for whey protein, a key ingredient in health and wellness, performance nutrition, and functional food industries.

We’ll be able to hit the ground running as we can plug the Sparta facility into our existing manufacturing network without a lot of changes. The facility will provide added capacity that will help us better meet the insatiable global demand for whey protein, while further positioning Actus to meet the needs of our existing customers.
david Lenzmeier, CEO of Actus Nutrition

The global whey protein market is currently experiencing robust growth. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the global whey protein market size was valued at USD 10.74 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 17.73 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2024 to 2030. This acquisition positions Actus Nutrition to capitalize on this expanding market.

Win-Win partnership for Long-Term Value

The agreement between Actus Nutrition and Foremost Farms is structured to create mutual benefits. Foremost Farms will streamline its operations, focusing on its core business, while continuing to maximize value for its cooperative members through a strategic, long-term partnership.

Foremost Farms and Actus have a strong relationship that goes back many years, and this extends our partnership in new directions. this scenario creates a win-win, enabling Foremost Farms to streamline its operations while continuing to maximize value for the cooperative members through a long-term strategic partner.
Declan Roche, Chief Commercial Officer for Foremost Farms USA

Expanding Footprint and Job Creation

The Sparta facility marks Actus Nutrition’s seventh manufacturing site in Wisconsin, adding to its existing locations across Minnesota, Nebraska, California, Idaho, and Illinois. As part of the acquisition, Actus Nutrition intends to extend employment offers to the current team members at the Sparta facility. Furthermore, the company anticipates additional hiring to support operational needs and future growth, contributing to job creation in the region.

About Actus Nutrition

Actus Nutrition is a leading manufacturer of nutritional ingredients catering to the health and wellness, performance nutrition, and functional food industries. Their product portfolio includes a wide range of high-protein ingredients such as whey protein concentrates,isolates,and hydrolysates,and also milk protein concentrates,isolates,and micellar casein. They also produce lactose, permeate, and value-added ingredients like lactoferrin. Actus nutrition also serves the pet and livestock feed industries.

About Foremost Farms USA

Foremost Farms USA is a dairy cooperative representing hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members across seven states, including Illinois, Indiana, iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It stands as one of the largest and most prominent dairy cooperatives in the United States, playing a significant role in the food manufacturing sector.

About Butterfly Equity

Butterfly is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in investments within the food sector. With a “seed to fork” investment approach,butterfly focuses on generating consistent returns through deep sector expertise,data-driven investment strategies,and operational value creation. Since its inception in 2016,the firm has built a diverse portfolio of category-leading businesses,representing approximately $8 billion in enterprise value.