Founded in 2012 from humble beginnings in a spare bedroom, Protein Works has evolved into a formidable direct-to-consumer (D2C) force in the United Kingdom and across several premium European markets, including Germany, France, Ireland, and Italy. The brand operates a fully integrated manufacturing model, developing its extensive lineup of whey protein concentrates, meal replacements, snacks, and wellness supplements entirely in-house. This comprehensive digital and production capacity offers immediate, scalable synergies for processing raw dairy components into high-margin consumer goods.

The economic footprint of the acquisition is highly significant, with Protein Works currently generating an estimated €65 million (£55 million) in annual revenue, a major leap from its early-stage financials. The brand’s rapid scaling was previously accelerated by YFM Equity Partners, who backed a major transition toward mainstream lifestyle nutrition and supported a massive infrastructure expansion into a state-of-the-art manufacturing campus in Speke, Liverpool. For institutional investors, the profitable exit yielded a remarkable 10.8x cash multiple, proving the massive commercial value inherent in specialized protein processing.

According to a corporate statement from Lactalis Chairman Emmanuel Besnier, the acquisition is designed to directly address shifting global consumer expectations regarding wellness, fitness, and nutrition. Besnier emphasized that combining Lactalis’ long-standing industrial expertise in dairy proteins and health nutrition with the British firm’s innovative approach will secure a dominant competitive edge in this highly dynamic category. To maintain operational stability and preserve the unique identity that captured a loyal 3-million-strong customer base, the group confirmed that all 150 Protein Works employees will be fully absorbed into the organization.