ST. LOUIS — Post Holdings, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Premier Nutrition Corp. for $180 million in cash. Based in Emeryville, Calif., Premier Nutrition markets and distributes protein bars and shakes under the Premier Protein brand, high protein bars and cookies under the Titan brand, and nutritional supplements under the Joint Juice brand.

The Premier Nutrition business will be managed independently by its management team in Emeryville. David Ritterbush, current chief executive officer of Premier Nutrition, will continue in that role.

“We are excited to enter this high growth and dynamic category,” said Bill Stiritz, chairman and c.e.o. of Post Holdings. “We could not be more impressed with the terrific quality of the Premier team Dave has put together.”

On a full-year basis, the transaction is expected to contribute approximately $130 million to $140 million to net sales and approximately $17 million to $20 million to EBITDA, Post said. Additionally, the transaction is structured as a “reverse subsidiary merger” with and into Premier Nutrition, thereby allowing Post to assume Premier Nutrition’s net operating loss carryforwards and other tax benefits, Post said. Post management estimates the carryforwards and other tax benefits to be in the range of $22 million to $26 million on a net present value basis.

The company expects to complete the transaction by September.