Hain Celestial revenue up 25.4 percent

Melville-based Hain Celestial Group Inc., which makes natural and organic foods and personal-care products, said Thursday strong sales in some of its key brands boosted revenue 25.4 percent in its fiscal first quarter, ended Sept. 30.

Revenue rose to $359.8 million from $286.8 million in the year-earlier period. Despite the increase, sales fell below analysts' estimate of $369.4 million for the quarter. Hain is Long Island's eighth-largest company by revenue.

Net income rose 40 percent to $16.4 million. Earnings per share rose to 35 cents from 26 cents.

The company said some of the brands that boosted first-quarter sales include Celestial Seasonings teas, Earth's Best baby food, Terra chips and Alba Botanica personal care products.

The acquisitive company also announced that it had signed a letter of intent to buy BluePrint, a Manhattan-based company that sells detox juices. Earlier this week Hain said it had closed on the purchase of the grocery brands of United Kingdom-based Premier Foods Plc. The products include peanut butter, honey, jams and chocolate products. The U.K. business generated more than $250 million of sales in its last fiscal year, Hain said.