Health products company opens Auckland site

Vitaco Health Ltd, a health products business owned by Australian private equity firm Next Capital, opened a refurbished facility in East Tamaki in Auckland today.

Vitaco is the merged business of Healtheries of New Zealand Ltd and Nutra-Life Health & Fitness Ltd.

The company invested $25 million in the 15,000sq m facility, which brings together the Healtheries and Nutra-Life head office, laboratory, manufacturing and warehouse functions under one roof.

Chief executive Sarah Kennedy said the new facility positioned the company well to continue its global growth strategy.

"We have positioned ourselves to take advantage of the world's growing focus on health and well-being and our investment in these state of the art facilities represents a key element in that positioning," she said.

Sixty per cent of the company's production are supplements, with the balance sports and food products.

Vitaco exports more than half its production predominantly to Australia, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Vitaco has turnover of around $175 million, representing 23 per cent of the total turnover of the New Zealand bioactives industry. It employs around 400 staff.

Next Capital also owns hire company Hirepool in New Zealand.

- NZPA