J&J Consumer buys Zarbee's Naturals

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. has acquired Draper-based Zarbee’s Naturals from the Growth Fund of investment firm L Catterton and other minority partners, including Sorenson Capital. Zarbee’s is an over-the-counter health and wellness brand founded by Dr. Zak Zarbock in 2008. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter.

Zarbee’s Naturals arose from pediatrician Zarbock’s quest for a drug-free children’s cough syrup. Over the past decade, it has grown into a broad-based health and wellness brand with a cough, sleep, immune support and vitamin categories portfolio. The company employs about 45.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“We are thrilled by the opportunity to further accelerate our growth as part of Johnson & Johnson Consumer,” said Bret Furio, CEO of Zarbee’s. “Over the past 10 years, Zarbee’s has attracted a passionate and loyal consumer following by using simple, natural ingredients and creating effective products for both kids and adults. We are deeply grateful for L Catterton’s partnership and support over the last seven years and for their support in helping us scale and strengthen our business, which enabled us to achieve this exciting milestone with Johnson & Johnson Consumer. I am confident that Johnson & Johnson Consumer will be a great home for both our brand and our people and we will continue to grow and succeed as we enter this exciting new chapter.”

“When we partnered with Zarbee’s Naturals in 2011, we saw a great opportunity for the company to essentially build a new consumer category by becoming the leading, trusted, natural health and wellness OTC brand,” said Scott Dahnke, global co-CEO of L Catterton. “We are proud of the performance the company has achieved and of the remarkable platform that has been created under the leadership of Bret and his management team. This partnership drove roughly 15-fold organic revenue growth over the last seven years and generated exceptional returns for our investors. This transaction represents the culmination of a terrific partnership with Zarbee’s Naturals and a successful investment for L Catterton and we are confident Zarbee’s Naturals will continue to grow and thrive for years to come as part of the Johnson & Johnson Consumer family of brands.”{/mprestriction}