The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. has announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has acquired Clarks UK Ltd., The Natural Sweeteners Company, a leading maple syrup and natural sweetener brand, in the United Kingdom.

Clarks is based in Newport, South Wales, UK, and produces natural sweeteners under the Clarks brand, including maple syrup, honey and carob, date and agave syrups, which are sold in leading retailers and used by foodservice and industrial customers in the United Kingdom.

“We welcome Bob Clark and his team to the Hain Celestial family and look forward to working with Clarks in expanding the brand's development in the United Kingdom and continental Europe,” says Irwin D. Simon, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial.

“The Clarks brand and products are a strategic fit with the Hain Daniels spreads business for various natural sweeteners applications to complement our health and wellness portfolio of brands as consumers continue to seek to reduce their sugar intake and look for better-for-you alternatives to refined sugar.”

James Skidmore, Hain Daniels Chief Executive Officer, adds: “I welcome our new colleagues within Clarks to the business and see significant opportunities to further develop the natural sweeteners category. The strength of the Clarks brand puts it in a strong position to capitalize on the growing consumer trends towards more natural and healthier foods.”

In the calendar year 2016, Clarks generated approximately £7 million (US$9.3 million) in net sales and is expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial's earnings in the fiscal year 2019.