Untitled DocumentThe 2007 NBJ Business Achievement Awards for Growth
About the NBJ Awards: In this issue, NBJ profiles award recipients
in all categories except Lifetime Achievement,
which will be announced at the 11th annual
NBJ Summit July 23-25, 2008 in Dana Point,
Calif. Award recipients featured in this issue underwent review by a panel including advisory board members, NBJ staff and New Hope Natural Media’s Vice President of Standards Don McLemore. This year, we are particularly pleased to be showcasing many new faces among the winners. We hope nominators continue to scour the nutrition, natural products and complementary and alternative health industries for admirable companies and individuals deserving of recognition with a Nutrition Business Journal Business Achievement Award. Awards disclaimer: Company audits were not conducted to verify information or claims submitted with nominations. NBJ does not endorse the products or services and makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or any other aspect of the information contained in submissions and nominations used in the NBJ awards.
Growth in Large Companies
Gold Medal: Hansen Natural for sales of $529 million in 2006, an 85% increase over the prior year. Additionally, Hansen saw sales of $741 million in 2007, according to the firm.
Growth has been led by Hansen's Monster Energy drink, which grew three times more than Red Bull through the first half of 2007, according to Forbes. Other brands include Lost Energy Drinks, Rumba Energy Juice and Joker Mad Energy.
Silver Medal: Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition (BSN) experienced 35% sales growth in 2006 with sales of $80 million, according to NBJ estimates. The company is expected to gross $135 million for 2007, according to VP Scott James. NBJ estimates the Boca Raton, Fl.-based firm captured $60 million of the $1.13 billion U.S. wholesale sports nutrition and weight loss market. The firm’s flagship product, Nitrix, launched in 2002.
Bronze Medal: Clif Bar Clif Bar experienced 25% growth in 2006 jumping from $110 million wholesale to $140 million, according to NBJ estimates. Clif's growth is especially impressive given the overall lackluster bar market. Clif's brands include Luna, Builders, Mojo and
Nectar. In August, Clif expanded its portfolio with the launch of its Clif Kid line, building off the success of its ZBaR product.
Growth in Mid-Size Companies
Gold Medal: Nutrition 21's, sales rocketed to $42.2 million in June, up from $10.7 million in the prior year’s period. The Purchase, N.Y.- based firm is known for its insulin-support chromium picolinate products Chromax and Diachrome. In August 2006, the firm moved into the heart health arena with its acquisition of fish oil importer Iceland Health.
Silver Medal: ZMC-USA, a subsidiary of Zhejiang Medicine Company, has achieved significant growth in both product size and market share within 2007. According to NBJ estimates, ZMC-USA had sales of $45 million in 2006: 100% growth over the prior year. This success is a result of a more direct to market strategy adopted by the parent company on a global basis, ZMC-USA says. The firm has become the second largest supplier of CoQ10 to the U.S. market providing over 25% of the estimated 175 metric ton U.S. market.
Bronze Medal: Lifeway Foods for growing sales 50% over the prior 12-month period and reaching sales of $34 million, according
to published reports. The firm is known for
its portfolio of Kefir products. In June the
firm introduced its newest drink, Lifeway
Lassi. For its third quarter ended Sept. 30,
2007 Lifeway reported sales increase of 32%
to $9.8 million.
Growth in Small Companies
Gold Medal: Pangea Organics announced its annual sales growth in 2006 totaled an impressive 315%, increasing from $377,500 in 2005 to $1.19 million. The firm projects $2.5 million in sales for 2007. Pangea also says it has recently expanded its national distribution to include 294 Whole Foods and Wild Oats stores and 700 retail locations including natural grocers, gift stores, select spas, yoga studios and boutiques.
Silver Medal: MyChelle Dermaceuticals for growing sales 78% in 2006, with an expected 2007 sales growth of more than 87%. MyChelle also announces it will expand into new markets in 2008, including Hong Kong, Dubai and Paris. The young fi rm prides itself on offering therapeutic levels of ingredients in its skincare products.
Bronze Medal: Zhena's Gypsy Tea for growing more than 47%, with an estimated 2007 revenue of $2.2 million. Proceeds of all sales go to sustain programs supporting tea pluckers families in addition to Fair Trade benefits, the firm says. Zhena's says it is the only tea company committed to 100% Fair Trade and 100% certified organic products.
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