Hain Celestial Otherworldly

Hain Celestial Group (HAIN - Analyst Report) is the nation's largest manufacturer and marketer of natural food products, one of the fastest growing segments in the food industry. Management's acquisition activity has expanded the company's geographical presence and provided opportunities to cross-sell products.

Also, management is focused on improving profitability through new product introductions, cost cutting programs, another SKU [stock keeping units] Rationalization Program, and new co-packing arrangements. The improvement of performance metrics improved with the adoption of Heinz's (HNZ - Analyst Report) Operating Free Cash Flow and Cash Conversion Cycle model.

The company enjoys pricing flexibility with prices having been raised over nine times in the past four years. The price increases help combat the rising costs of both ingredients and fuel.

Hain Celestial Group is the largest manufacturer in the natural foods segment, with brands, such as Celestial Seasonings Tea, Imagine, Hain Pure Foods, Westbrae Natural, WestSoy, Rice Dream, Walnut Acres, Arrowhead Mills, Health Valley, Garden of Eatin', Terra Chips, Harry's Premium Snacks, Boston's, Gaston's Lima, Biomarche, Yves Veggie Cuisine, Earth's Best, and Nile Spice. The company's specialty products include Hollywood cooking oils, Estee sugar-free products, Kineret kosher foods, Boston Better Snacks, and Alba Foods. Hain also provides personal care items under the JASON Natural, Avalon Organics, Alba Botanica, Earth's Best, Red Elements, and Temptations brands.

The company ranks itself as the leader in 13 out of 15 natural food categories, despite stiff and growing competition. Roughly 65% of the company's products is outsourced, while the remaining 35% is manufactured at its own facilities.

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