A Liverpool food business that grew from a bedroom operation to generating over £50 million in revenue in 2024 has been sold. Protein Works, which produces protein shakes, wellness supplements, and high-protein snacks, has been acquired by Lactalis, one of the world's largest dairy companies.
The privately-owned French group, which owns brands such as Parmalat milk and Président cheese, stated that the acquisition "marks a new step" in its strategic growth plans. Founded by Mark Coxhead in 2012, Protein Works opened a £10 million state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Speke last May, a far cry from its humble beginnings in a single industrial unit in Runcorn.
Protein Works has sold over 450 million shakes worldwide and serves more than 2.5 million customers globally. In a LinkedIn statement, the company said: "What comes next, well, that’s exciting! And there is no stronger partner in the world to build the future of protein with than Lactalis. Our missions are so similar. We’re focused on the customer, quality at every touch point and innovation in nutrition. Their scale, supply chain depth and global reach give us the support to do more of what we already do and allows us to go further, faster."
The statement added: "What won't change is what's always set us apart: the brand, our standards, and our obsession with taste and nutrition. What changes is the size of the ambition. To our customers, our team and everyone who's followed the journey: thank you. The best of Protein Works is still in front of us!"
Lactalis chairman Emmanuel Besnier commented: "By combining our longstanding expertise in dairy proteins and health nutrition with Protein Works’ strong brand and innovative approach, we are confident we can continue to create products that respond to changing consumer expectations in this dynamic and growing category."
Lactalis confirmed that 150 staff from Protein Works have joined the business, but the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. CEO Laura Keir, originally hired as marketing director in 2015, highlighted how marketing protein beyond just gym-goers was key to the brand's success. "There was a gap in the market," she said, noting that protein was previously marketed only to gym enthusiasts and not to the average consumer or women. "No one would have predicted protein exploding. But we know it's one of the most important macro nutrients. Mark knew if he could crack the code and bridge the gap between gym-goers and every day people's needs, it would be a success. Any entrepreneur starting from scratch is taking big personal risks but there was heart and soul."
