Murdock Sells Stake in Murdock Madaus Schwabe

PARK CITY, UT—Ken Murdock has sold his stake in the Murdock Madaus Schwabe Holding Co. (MMS), parent company of Nature’s Way and NaturaLife.

Murdock’s former co-owners, Willmar Schwabe GmbH of Karlsruhe, Germany, and Madaus AG of Cologne, Germany, purchased Murdock’s shares of common stock for an undisclosed amount.

Nature’s Way is one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of herbal and vitamin products. The three former co-owners reportedly owned equal shares of the privately held holding company.

Doug Carrigan, media coordinator for Nature’s Way, says he does not anticipate any significant changes at the company as a result of the sale. “With two owners instead of three, things may run a bit smoother,” Carrigan says.

Murdock stepped down as MMS’s chairman more than a year ago. Since then he has maintained a seat on the board but probably will resign with the sale, Carrigan says.

In September, Gary Hume resigned as MMS’s president and CEO to become executive VP of Nutraceutical International Corp. (NUTR). Rory Mahony, former executive VP of MMS, took over as acting GM to run the company until a new CEO is named. Former board Chairman Bob Donovan has been serving as spokesman for the board until a new chairman is named.