Cooke subsidiary Bioriginal acquires Softgel to expand nutritional product offerings

Bioriginal, a subsidiary of Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada-based Cooke Inc., has finalized its fourth acquisition in as many months with its purchase of Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S.A.-based Softgel Co.

Softgel Co. is a manufacturer of customs gels, squeeze tubes, bottles and tincture, specializing in the encapsulation of human and pet nutrition products. It is capable of making vegan softgels from tapioca or agar, and bovine softgels, and it has a production capacity of more than a million softgels daily. Terms of the transaction were been disclosed.

“This acquisition is a natural step in Bioriginal’s growth, to provide security of supply and responsible manufacturing around the globe,” Bioriginal President and CEO Shannon Sears said. “The Softgel facility will be taking immediate steps to double its capacity to meet the demand from Bioriginal. From seed or fish to bulk ingredient, and milling or encapsulation, to fill and finish, the Bioriginal group of companies controls the entire product manufacturing process under one umbrella.”

Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Bioriginal produces ingredients and supplements for the human and pet nutrition industries. Bioriginal has seven manufacturing facilities, 18 warehouses, and offices in Canada, the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, and Japan. In September 2023, it acquired Japan-based Cana Corporation and The Netherlands-based The Fatory, and in October, it purchased Pflanzenölmühle Kroppenstedt, which operates as Kroppenstedter Ölmühle.

“Thanks to the support of our clients and partners, we are fortunate to be in a position where we can expand with industry leaders, like Softgel,” Sears said. “The addition of Softgel expands Bioriginal’s global supply abilities, removing the need to outsource softgel production, improving production efficiencies, and enhancing supply chain management. This level of vertical integration ensures what is on the label is in the bottle. Consumers deserve that level of confidence.”

Photo courtesy of Cooke Inc.