Natrol posts impressive sales increase

CHATSWORTH, Calif. Natrol on Wednesday posted a 17.8 percent increase over second-quarter 2006 sales to $19.5 million for the period ended June 30. Natrol attributed the sales increase to a strong performance from new products that offset a $900,000 decline out of the planned discontinuation of Ester-C.

"In addition to good financial results, we made excellent strategic progress with our business," stated Wayne Bos, Natrol president and chief executive officer. "The acquisition of [Medical Research Institute] closed late in the quarter and further diversified our business. MRI provides not only a premium brand but contributes a strong, science-based pipeline for further penetration and market development of higher-growth areas of the nutraceutical business."