In a $315 million deal, Glanbia plc, Kilkenny, Ireland, has acquired Aurora, IL-based Optimum Nutrition, Inc., manufacturer of nutritional sports supplements Optimum Nutrition, Gold Standard 100% Whey and ABB.

The business is being acquired on a debt-free basis and will be funded through Glanbia’s existing resources.

Optimum is privately owned and has three operating facilities located in Illinois, South Carolina and Florida employing 387 people. It has a 22-year track record in the manufacture and supply of a range of whey based, premium nutritional supplements to the U.S. and global sports nutrition markets. In 2007, Optimum generated $185 million in revenue and $32 million in operating profit. At year-end December 2007, the company had gross assets of $51 million.

“This is an exciting acquisition for Glanbia as it gives us a leading position of scale in a fast growing segment of the nutrition market,” said John Moloney, Glanbia Group managing director. “It is a close strategic fit with our core areas of expertise in whey and sports nutrition and brings us up the value chain into consumer markets. Optimum also fits very well with the Group’s stated growth strategy and ambition to continue to internationalize our business. The transaction is expected to be earnings enhancing from this year.”

Kevin Toland, CEO and president of Glanbia USA, said: “Optimum is a strong business with an excellent track record and reputation in the sports nutrition market, particularly in the USA. The company has strong brands and a broad distribution network in an attractive market segment. We have a long standing relationship with Optimum and its leadership team and are delighted to welcome them to the Group. We look forward to growing and developing this business together into the future.”