NBTY forms joint venture to sell vitamins in China

NBTY Inc. has formed a joint venture to sell more of its vitamins and dietary supplements in China, officials said Friday.

The Ronkonkoma-based manufacturer said it had teamed with By-Health Co. Ltd., a large supplement company in China, in a joint venture to sell NBTY’s Nature’s Bounty vitamins and MET-Rx protein supplements for athletes and weightlifters.

The move comes as demand increases in China for U.S.-made supplements after well-publicized cases of deaths from China-made items found to be toxic, impure or lacking potency.

Other Long Island manufacturers, including A&Z Pharmaceutical Inc. of Hauppauge and Allegiant Health of Deer Park, have found “Made in USA” on their vitamin labels attracts some Chinese consumers.

The NBTY/By-Health joint venture will handle sales and distribution of the products. NBTY will own 40 percent of the venture, and By-Health, which is based in Zhuhai, China, will have 60 percent.

NBTY reported 2015 sales of $3.2 billion, primarily from the United States and Europe. It has 2,166 employees at 11 facilities in Suffolk County.

“This partnership with By-Health is the perfect way to expand upon the current strong position of our premium Nature’s Bounty and MET-Rx brands,” said company chief executive Steve Cahillane.

NBTY first opened an office in China around 2005 and has been selling Nature’s Bounty and MET-Rx there for some time. The joint venture will not involve other NBTY product lines such as Puritan’s Pride, Balance Bar, Sundown Naturals and Osteo Bi-Flex.

Company spokeswoman Sonya Soutus said, “The products supplied by NBTY to the joint venture will continue to be manufactured in the USA and some on Long Island.”

By-Health CEO Zhicheng Lin said, “This partnership enables both parties to leverage their unique strengths.”

The Chinese public company reported 2015 sales of more than $2 billion, with about 70 percent from China. It employs nearly 2,600 people.

By-Health is known for its “transparent factory” initiative, which allows consumers to watch the company’s manufacturing process online in real time.