Isopure sold to Irish nutrition company for $153 million

The Isopure Company LLC, a Hauppauge maker of sports drinks and protein powders, has been sold by its San Francisco parent company for $153 million to Glanbia Plc, an Irish nutrition conglomerate.

The seller, the private equity firm Encore Consumer Capital, had bought Isopure from its founder, Hal Katz, in 2007.

"Glanbia is the perfect partner to accelerate our expansion into new products and new markets," Isopure president Chris Hickey said in a statement announcing the deal. Hickey, who will remain with the company, did not respond immediately to a request for further comment.

Katz founded Isopure three decades ago. It produces protein powders, teas and other sports drinks. The company also has a facility in Belgium.

Glanbia, based in Kilkenny, Ireland, employs 5,000 people in 32 countries. It produces a wide variety of sports drinks, cheeses, specialty dairy items and other products.